Two bottles a week

That's the limit set by the state for you to buy liquor, among many other restrictions that have now been formalised

That's the limit set by the state for you to buy liquor, among many other restrictions that have now been formalised

Now that the state has formally issued orders to enforce its de-addiction policy, your freedom to drink and possess liquor is in for some serious restraint.

You can't purchase more than two bottles (750 ml) of alcohol in a week. You need a permit for consuming mild beer as well.

According to a source, the department is currently under pressure to ensure higher revenues as the annual target set by the government is over Rs 7,000 crore. The state's decision to hike excise duty by 40 per cent has already affected their collections. And now, they have the de-addiction policy to further clamp down revenues

The permit will be issued only if you are 21. For permits regarding hard liquor, you need to be at least 25 years old. If you are a party goer, occasionally throwing back a few pegs at a do, you still need the permit.

There's more. No booze shop or bar will be allowed within a radius of 75 m of gardens, hospitals, libraries and public offices.

In fact, the list of restricted places for opening alcohol shop or a bar has been expanded to include educational institutes, religious places, national and state highways.

Fear 'fore you cheer
If you flout any of these norms, you can expect to cool your heels behind bars for anywhere between six months and three years.

Officials empowered by the state to execute the policy will make sure of that by lodging a case against you.

"Even though some of these rules have existed on paper for long, they will be implemented in earnest now," said an official on condition of anonymity.

Boozer beware
The de-addiction stance was kicked off with the state issuing formal orders on August 17. The rules, approved by the cabinet on June 1, also cover tobacco, gutkha and other intoxicants.

The government has put the onus of implementation on senior police officers, FDA and the public health department, apart from the state excise department that controls the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Also, de-addiction committees will come into existence at the district and tehsil level, with 30 per cent women members, to see that the rules are adhered to.

The state has made it clear that it will side with people who demand ban on liquor and other addictive substances, and will not promote sale of these items but instead make efforts for their eradication.

Bootlegging
Yesterday, the excise department swooped down on a bootlegger in the city for pouring cheap Goan liquor into bottles of Imperial Blue, Royal Stag and McDowell.

After a tip-off from Excise Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, a team was stationed at P D'mello Road, behind GT Hospital, where Sachin Tukaram Gaikwad was found mixing the hooch with expensive brands.

"He was mixing cheap Goan whisky such as Real Flavor and Vega Vated in expensive bottles when we arrested him.

We are investigating how he managed to sneak the Goan liquor into the state," said Vaibhav Vaidya, an officer of the flying squad.