The Maharashtra government is set to issue 328 new liquor licenses, ending a 50-year moratorium on wine shop permits to boost state revenue, according to a report by NDTV Marathi. This move will raise the total number of liquor licenses in the state by 19%, from the current 1,713.
To boost state revenue, the government will issue these new licenses to companies rather than individual shops. Each company will be eligible for eight licenses, and the new policy allows these licenses to be rented out.
Under the revised rules, companies will need to deposit only Rs 1 crore, down from the previous Rs 10 crore, to obtain a license. This amount will be non-refundable.
A committee led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be formed to oversee the issuance of foreign liquor licenses. Jay Pawar, a director of liquor manufacturer Capovity, is related to Ajit Pawar, raising concerns about impartiality in the licensing process.
The moratorium on wine shop licenses in the state for the last 50 years is likely to be lifted now.
"We have made a rule that if we want to give licenses, we should not give them without taking the legislature into confidence. Licenses are increasing in other states, but we do everything within the rules. But our method is different. If a shop wants to be relocated, we give permission as per the rules, but everything is within the rules. If women demand it, we close the shops," said Ajit Pawar.
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