Maharashtra Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh on Tuesday dismissed reports of the state government cancelling statutory “dry days” for Holi, Muharram and Gandhi Jayanti as “fake news”, reported the PTI.
He asserted that the existing liquor policy remains unchanged.
The state excise chief clarified that the state will continue to enforce eight mandatory dry days under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, according to the PTI.
The clarification has come amid reports on social media, which claimed that the ban on the sale of liquor or dry days on Holi, Muharram, and Gandhi Jayanti had been revoked.
According to the existing rules, the sale of liquor remains prohibited on January 26 (Republic Day), January 30 (Martyrs` Day), May 1 (Maharashtra Day), Ashadhi Ekadashi, August 15 (Independence Day), Anant Chaturdashi, October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti/Prohibition Week) and Kartiki Ekadashi.
The commissioner further stated that under section 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, district collectors are empowered to declare additional dry days within their respective jurisdictions, the news agency reported.
Officials urged the public not to believe unverified social media posts regarding changes in excise rules.
Orchestra bar licences to be cancelled for repeat violations
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday stated that licences of orchestra bars will be cancelled in cases of repeated violations, and the state government will soon introduce a legal amendment to this effect.
Intervening during a debate in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during Question Hour, Fadnavis recalled that the state had earlier enacted a law banning dance bars, but the legislation did not stand scrutiny in the Supreme Court and was held to be unconstitutional.
Subsequently, the law was modified and amended to permit orchestra licences for bars.
“The court allowed women to work in bars and we accordingly amended the rules, making them more stringent. However, complaints of violations are still being received from areas such as Panvel in Navi Mumbai,” CM Fadnavis said.
Will be penalised for violations
He added that in keeping with the principle of natural justice, establishments would be heard and penalised for violations three to four times, but in cases of repeated offences, orchestra bar licences would be permanently cancelled.
“An amendment to this effect will be introduced soon, either in the current session or in the next session of the legislature,” he said.
Fadnavis further stated that the government’s intention was to completely shut down dance bars, but this could not be implemented as owners applied for orchestra licences instead.
“We granted permission for orchestra performances under strict rules, but complaints continue to be received,” he noted.
(with PTI inputs)
