Maharashtra govt firm on drinking age limit as 25

In the backdrop of growing clamour to reduce the legal age for drinking from 25, Maharashtra government Tuesday expressed its resolve to stick to the new criteria.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe said, "the government's reply will be filed in the court. We are working on the reply to be submitted. The state is firm on the criteria of 25 years."

He was responding to a query on the PIL filed recently by Bollywood actor Imran Khan challenging the government's decision to make 25 the legal drinking age.

Moghe said the state government is organising a 'prohibition week' to create awareness about the evils of liquor consumption from October 2, birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to Oct 8.

Workshops will be held in rural areas and gram sabhas will be requested to organise discussions on the prohibition policy of the government, he said.

To a question on whether a brand ambassador will be signed up for the awareness campaign, Moghe said no decision has been taken as yet.

"The government is still thinking about signing a brand ambassador," he added.

On verification of caste certificates, the minister said the government has decided to form 35 district-wise caste validation committees to assist aspiring candidates willing to contest the local bodies elections from reserved wards in municipal corporations, councils, panchayat samitis and Zilla Parishads.

District collectors will head these committees, he said.

Moghe further said that the caste certificates should be submitted to the committees before October 5 for verification.