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Maharashtra's New Liquor Rule: Why Society Consent is Now Mandatory

Maharashtra has introduced a significant new rule for liquor shops. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that both foreign liquor and country liquor outlets must now obtain mandatory consent from registered housing societies. This policy comes after a complaint was raised in the Assembly regarding a shop operating with incomplete documents. The government has directed that this rule be implemented uniformly across the entire state.

Key Points: Ajit Pawar Mandates Society Consent for Maharashtra Liquor Shops

  • New policy requires consent from housing societies for all liquor outlets
  • Directive follows complaint about a shop in Pune's Sahyadri Society
  • Policy must be enforced uniformly across the entire state of Maharashtra
  • Action taken against two shops following specific complaints from legislators
3 min read

Registered societies' consent mandatory for liquor shops: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra makes society consent mandatory for liquor shops. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar announces new policy after BJP legislator raises issue in Assembly.

"This permission from registered societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. - Deputy CM Ajit Pawar"

Nagpur, Dec 10

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that both foreign retail liquor outlets and country liquor shops will be required to obtain mandatory consent from registered housing societies before commencing operations.

He also directed that the new policy be implemented across the state.

"This permission from registered societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Deputy CM Pawar told the Assembly while responding to a question raised by BJP legislator Shankar Jagtap.

Jagtap sought a cancellation of the licences of liquor shops operating in the Chinchwad–Kalewadi area of Pune district. During the discussion, Jagtap said that a shop in Sahyadri Society had started operations in violation of norms. He said the building was incomplete when permission was granted, and the licence had been issued on the basis of incomplete documents. He demanded action against those responsible.

Pawar reiterated the mandatory requirement of society consent for liquor outlets and informed the House about the action taken regarding the two shops against which complaints had been received.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the Legislative Assembly that Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 people died of rabies between 2021 and 2023.

Deputy CM Shinde made the disclosure in a written reply to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Sunil Prabhu, amid concerns over the rising number of stray dogs, especially in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Kalyan-Dombivli.

Deputy CM Shinde said there has been a significant increase in dog bite incidents in both rural and urban areas. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, around 30 people succumbed to rabies after dog bites, he said.

"Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 people died of rabies between 2021 and 2023," Deputy CM Shinde said in his written reply during the question hour.

Replying to another query, DCM Shinde said local bodies have been directed to intensify animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes in accordance with Supreme Court directions issued in August 2024.

The Urban Development Department issued instructions to all civic bodies on November 14, while similar directions were given to rural local bodies on November 27.

He further said the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, are being implemented across the state following government orders issued in March this year.

On compensation to the families of those who died due to rabies and on delays in controlling the stray dog population, the Deputy Chief Minister said the matter does not arise at present.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some common sense! But will it be implemented properly? We all know how these things work. Builders and shop owners often get permissions through "other means". The Chinchwad case shows the system was already broken. Action must be taken against the officials who granted that licence.
S
Sarah B
I appreciate the focus on community consent for liquor shops, but the dog bite statistics are truly shocking. 30 lakh cases? That's a public health crisis. The policy on strays needs to be implemented with the same urgency. Our cities are becoming unsafe for morning walks.
A
Aman W
Good step for resident welfare. But what about the shops already operating without proper consent? Will they be shut down? The article mentions action on two shops, but there must be hundreds. Also, the government should not stop at just consent; they must ensure shops follow all distance norms from schools and temples.
N
Nikhil C
While the liquor shop policy is getting attention, the stray dog issue is being sidelined. 30 deaths from rabies is unacceptable. The Supreme Court gave directions in August, but instructions to civic bodies were issued in November? That's a delay of 3 months. Why is there no urgency? People are dying.
M
Meera T
As a mother, I welcome both discussions. We need safe spaces for our children, free from the nuisance of liquor shops and the fear of stray dogs. I hope the society consent rule is strong and not just a formality. And the ABC program needs to be visible on the ground, not just on paper.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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