Uproar in Assembly over Amendment to Prohibition Act!

Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar Issues Comprehensive Implementation Directives

Mumbai / Pimpri-Chinchwad | “In Pimpri-Chinchwad, liquor shops located within society premises and next to temples were sealed. However, later these shops resumed operations with the permission of certain senior officials. If such permissions are to be granted, then liquor shops should be opened next to the homes of these officials. The law must be amended accordingly. A healthy society cannot be built without strict enforcement of the law,” thundered BJP MLA Mahesh Landge in the state assembly.

The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is currently underway in Mumbai. A heated debate took place in the Assembly over the issue of prohibition in the state. MLAs Sudhir Mungantiwar and Atul Bhatkhalkar also put forth their views during the discussion.

MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar stated that the government had not fulfilled the assurances given during the previous session. The current law requires 50% of total votes in a village for prohibition to be enforced. However, he demanded a new law stating that if 75% of the actual votes cast are in favor of prohibition, then liquor should be banned in that village. He insisted that the House should not give vague replies and adopted an aggressive stance.

In the previous session, MLA Mahesh Landge had raised the issue of shutting down liquor shops located within residential societies and near religious places. He had demanded that if residents lodge complaints, the government should take steps to seal such shops.

Responding to the matter, Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar said, “There is no complete prohibition in the state. However, there are regulations regarding the sale and consumption of liquor, and a legal framework exists for that. The real question is about the enforcement of these laws by the concerned authorities. Public drinking and unruly behavior can lead to imprisonment. Actions must be taken against those harming public interest and health. Provisions under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1950 as well as the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 can be enforced in such cases.”

He also said that a broader discussion is needed regarding amendments to other related laws. The rules governing permit rooms, bars, and licenses have not been updated in the past 40 to 50 years, and these too must be reviewed. Drinking in public places should be discouraged, fines should be increased, and strict action must be taken to prevent drinking near religious sites, residential premises, and historical forts, Shelar added.

After the detailed discussion in the House, MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar withdrew the bill to amend the Prohibition Act, which was then approved by the House with a majority vote.

The government is positive about holding a comprehensive discussion on amending the prohibition laws in the state. Penalties will be increased for unruly behavior by drunk individuals in public places. A committee of respected MLAs will be formed to ensure strict enforcement of laws preventing illegal alcohol distribution. The committee’s timeline will be fixed for six months.
— Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister, Government of Maharashtra.