Sources from the state excise department said they are looking at reducing the number of dry days based on demands of industry bodies.
In a major departure from the state's existing policy that focuses more on prohibition, the government is planning to reduce the number of 'dry days'.
Shops and retailers selling liquor, such as wine shops, beer bars, permit rooms, shut operations on nine statutory dry days in Maharashtra. District collectors have the authority to announce dry days for specific locations and periods on special occasions like festivals. Dry days are also imposed before elections or by-elections.
Sources from the state excise department said they are looking at reducing the number of dry days based on demands of industry bodies.
"We are planning to drop a couple of statutory dry days. District collectors can announce dry days on birth and death anniversaries of leaders and icons, fairs, festivals and special occasions, based on demands by social and religious groups or if police report about possible law and order disturbances," the official said.
"Apart from affecting the state government's revenues, dry days also lead to bootleggers having a field day," the official added.
October 8 will most likely be dropped from the list, but any proposal to dilute the provision of dry days would meet with a stiff resistance from activists who favour sobriety and prohibition. The Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949, and other related legislations may also have to be amended.
Dilip Gianani, president, Maharashtra Wine Merchants Association, said they had sought a reduction in dry days. "License fees in cities and talukas are very high. Shutting down business on dry days translate to stiff losses," he added, advising that days that do not have a sentimental or religious connect can be dropped.
Gianani said they were demanding standardisation in dry days being declared by district collectors across Maharashtra with the element of discretion being done away with and a ceiling on the number of days that can be imposed.
The nine statutory dry days include January 26 (Republic Day), 30th January (Martyr's Day), May 1 (Maharashtra Day), October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti, which is also observed as prohibition day), October 8 (last day of prohibition week), August 15 (Independence Day), Anant Chaturdashi, Ashadi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi.
THE 9 DRY DAYS
- Maharashtra follows a policy of discouraging liquor consumption through high prices and low sales and has one of the highest excise duty regimes in India.
- However, neighbouring states and union territories like Goa and Daman have comparatively liberal policies and the cheaper costs of liquor there lead to a huge incentive for smugglers and bootleggers to smuggle in the brew to Maharashtra.
- The state has three dry districts where prohibition is in force: Wardha, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur.
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