Dry days likely to be reduced in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The state government is likely to reduce the number of dry days in the state — as demanded by the liquor industry, according to whom, unnecessary dry days lead to loss of revenue.

A committee constituted by the excise department to look into the liquor industry's grievances, in its 17-page internal report, has stated that statutory dry days have been in existence for many years.

Out of the nine statutory dry days, many have become redundant, it said. These dry days are not applicable to star category hotels and clubs at present. Some of these can be reduced.

Eventually, the committee concluded that dry days should not be declared on Martyrs’ Day, October 8, Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi and they can be declared so in particular districts only.

The Asian Age is in possession of the report. The committee had discussed 70 issues raised by the Liquor Owner and Distillery Association, All India Breweries Association, Wine Manufacturer Association, IMLF Wholesale Association, IMFL Retail Association, Hotel Association, Class 2 and 3 Associations and the Micro-Biology/Restaurant-Brewery Association.

Issues such as the renewal of manufacturing licences, additional spirit quota, permission for overtime and holiday working, extension of closing time, removal of weekly holidays, extension of business hours for festivals, simplifying the process of transferring licences and dry days were discussed.

On the issue of dry days, hotels associations claimed unnecessary dry days lead to loss of revenue and illegal sale of alcohol. They suggested reducing the number of dry days and recommended that liquor be allowed to be sold after the declaration of election results and after final voting takes place.

The committee considered its current policy, which states that at present there are nine statutory dry days. In addition to these, there are election dry days along with those declared by the collector on the basis of law and order.

State minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday told the media, “The state government has decided to bring uniformity in the declaration of dry days in the state and has appointed a committee for this.”

He added, "There was no uniformity… According to festivals, every city and district collector declares dry days as per his wish. There is a need to streamline the entire process of declaring dry days and the government has taken up this task."