Sudhir Mungantiwar, state finance minister said the move by the government will improve the lives of the tribal people.
The Maharashtra government has decided to promote the manufacturing of 'herbal liquor' which is made from moha (bassia latifolia) flowers.
The government expects to generate close to Rs 200 crore in revenue from the sale of herbal liquor. Sudhir Mungantiwar, state finance minister said that they had lifted the restriction over manufacturing of herbal liquor. "In tribal area, the tribal people collect the moha flowers and make the liquor. This is became the main source of livelihood for the tribals. WE have decided to make the amendment in the existing law so that the tribal people can do the business of herbal liquor. We have excepted various excise and transport taxes over the herbal liquor," said Mungatiwar.
The idea involves facilitating moha liquor manufacturing by providing nets to tribals, collecting flowers and selling bottled 'herbal liquor'. Flowers of the moha or mahua tree yield liquor and its fruit yield oil. There are around 3.45 crore moha trees in Maharashtra, which can produce 50,000 tonnes of moha flower and 20,000 seeds. Senior govt officials said that around one kg of moha flowers can produce up to 350 ml of liquor and fill a 750 ml standard liquor bottle when diluted.
Mungantiwar said that this move by the govt will improve the lives of the tribal people. The herbal liquor proposal was also brought by the Congress NCP government but it was dropped when it was vehemently criticised by the Opposition.
Interestingly, Mungantiwar had made the Chandrapur district as a liquor free district by imposing the ban on the sale and consumption of the normal liquor. "People are not permitted to drink the normal liquor but they can consume the herbal liquor. This is completely paradox. Government should have clarity over its policies and decisions. We are not against the promoting the herbal liquor for the development of the tribal people. But at the same time, the normal liquor should also sold freely that will curb the deaths by drinking the adulterated liquors," said Opposition leader requested anonymity.
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 "herbal liquor, Maharashtra, bassia latifolia, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Chandrapur")
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