Pawar, who heads the excise department, directed that the policy be enforced statewide. During the Budget Session held in March, Pawar had announced that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from housing societies will be mandatory for liquor vends if they wish to migrate to their premises
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. File Pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar on Wednesday announced that shops selling Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) or country liquor must secure mandatory consent from registered housing societies before operating from commercial spaces within their premises, reported news agency PTI. Pawar, who heads the excise department, has directed that the policy be enforced statewide.
"Permission from registered housing societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Pawar told the Lower House of the state legislature while responding to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Shankar Jagtap, who represents the Chinchwad Assembly Constituency in Pune District.
Jagtap sought cancellation of the licences of liquor shops operating in the Chinchwad-Kalewadi area of Pune, reported PTI.
During the discussion, he said that Vikrant Wine, a liquor shop in Sahyadri Society, had begun operations in violation of norms.
The building was incomplete when permission was granted, and the licence had been issued on the basis of incomplete documents, Jagtap said, demanding action against those responsible.
Responding to this, Pawar reiterated the mandatory requirement of the respective housing society's consent for liquor outlets and informed the House about the action taken regarding the two shops against which complaints had been received, PTI reported.
During the Budget Session of the state legislature held in March, Pawar had announced that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from housing societies will be mandatory for liquor vends if they wish to migrate to their premises.
Many housing societies have commercial establishments, with some even having liquor vends.
Sena (UBT) MLA questions ministers' absence during discussion in House; sparks debate
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav on Wednesday criticised the absence of ministers in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and the lack of responses during a discussion on calling attention notices regarding losses caused by excessive monsoon rainfall.
Two such notices were listed for debate, one on rain-related damage across the state and another on losses due to water discharged from Nashik reservoirs and the Jayakwadi dam into the Godavari river, reported news agency PTI.
As the discussion began, Jadhav said ministers were "routinely unavailable", and members failed to get printed replies in advance.
"This is disrespectful to the Chair. If ministers are unable to attend (the proceedings of the House), prior intimation must be given. These days, nothing is communicated. What is happening?" Jadhav asked and criticised the government during the morning session.
He pointed out that 29 districts and over 300 talukas in the state suffered heavy losses, leaving more than 65 lakh farmers affected.
"Land has eroded due to floods. Despite repeated demands to declare a wet drought, there has been no action. The government and the administration have neglected the rain-affected people. Compensation has not been given," he said, noting that several legislators had jointly filed a notice on the matter.
Jadhav, along with Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP), Narendra Bhondekar (Shiv Sena) and Jitendra Awhad (NCP-SP), had sought a detailed discussion on the topic. When the notice came up, members were not given copies of the government's reply, prompting Jadhav to raise strong objections.
(With PTI inputs)
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