The excise duty on liquor has gone up from 70% to 75%.
The city is decked up for revelry on Friday as Hindus prepare to abstain from non-vegetarian fare and alcohol after Gatari amavasya, when the month-long period of Shravan begins. However, the exorbitant prices of booze have dampened the spirit for many.
According to Randeep Singh, vice president, Maharashtra Wine Merchant Association and owner of Shah and Wines shop at Crawford Market, the excise duty on liquor has gone up from 70% to 75%.
“Due to this, regular drinkers have shifted to cheaper brands, and the response to Gatari appears to be lukewarm. Last year, six days ahead of Gatari, our business had increased by 40% to 50%, but this year, things are not good. Barring cheap beer, there is no sale of other liquor and business has gone up only 5%,” he said.
He added that overall rates of liquor have gone up by almost 40%. “It is a costly affair to drink beer in bars and restaurants where they levy 25% surcharge on the MRP.”
“Due to the high rates, we have toned downed celebrations. We will not go to a hotel, but celebrate it at a friend’s house,” said Rohit Ugale, who works with Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd in Andheri.
Since amavasya begins on Saturday afternoon, Gatari will be celebrated on Friday. “Besides, most of people do not eat non-veg on Saturday,” said Balu Bhatt, senior priest from Tardeo.
He added, “For Maharashtrians, Gatari holds a lot of significance. People give up eating non-vegetarian food and drinking liquor for a month. But before they do, they ensure that they eat and drink adequately before the start of the auspicious month of Shravan. In the month of ashada, according to the Marathi calendar in Maharashtra, Gatari Amavasya is observed on amavasya or the no-moon day. It welcomes monsoon and the forthcoming Shravan.”
According to the expert, the word Gatari, (drain) originated after people got so intoxicated that they could not even walk and fell into the drain (gatar). Most of the beer bars and wine shops will sell record amounts of liquor on this day.
Public hospitals have asked doctors to stay on alert to address untoward incidents. Senior doctors from JJ hospital said, “Most people drink lots of alcohol on this particular day. So, there are chances of people getting hurt and overdose of alcohol may harm their bodies.”
“People also become unconscious. It is our standing instruction to all doctors to keep vigil and be alert on Gatari,” he added.
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