Amidst the debate on banning liquor, a reality check across Maharashtra has found only 250 such requests, mostly from villages, and only 130 liquor shops closed based on demands since 2008. A survey conducted by the state excise department found that a miniscule portion of the population has demanded the ban.
So far, the state has received 250 requests and representations from various sections of society. “Most of these requests have been made by villages. Of which, the excise department has found 94 valid, 140 invalid and 16 pending decision since 2008,” an official from the state excise department told this newspaper.
“After the department’s recommendation, the state has taken action and closed 130 liquor shops and permit rooms,” he added.
Claiming that the volume of requests is small, the official said that the state has over 43,000 villages. The survey was conducted last month after the demand for a liquor ban was reiterated by a section of society.
As per the Government Resolution (GR) passed in June 2003, if 25 per cent of women voters in a village demand a ban on liquor, the district collector checks authenticity of the demand and arranges voting among them. If more than 50 per cent of women voters support the proposal, the collector must pass an order.
“Based on the GR, requests are treated as valid or invalid. If the liquor ban demand is really genuine, we have to close shops as per the law,” the official further said.
At present, the state has banned liquor in Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. But there is no plan on banning it across the state, as was debated after Bihar declared a ban on alcohol in the entire state, clarified the official.
