Ajit Pawar announces new rules for beer, liquor shops in housing societies

Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Tuesday announced new rules for opening beer and liquor shops in housing societies in the stateThe announcement was made in the state assembly during the on going Maharashtra Budget session 2025According to an official statement Ajit Pawar said that starting a beer or liquor shop in the commercial spaces of housing societies will now require a No Objection Certificate NOC from the society and without the NOC of the housing societies no new beer or liquor shop can be opened in the stateThe statement said that the decision is expected to maintain peace and prevent addiction among the younger generation while also helping improve law and order in housing societiesAjit Pawar stated that in municipal corporation wards if there is a proposal to shut down a liquor shop the decision will be based on the voting results If 75 per cent of the votes favor shutting the shop it will be closedThe rule aims to give local communities more power in deciding whether they want liquor shops in their areasThe statement further said that the issue of liquor sales in housing societies had raised concerns over law and order with members raising the issue in the state assemblyFormer minister Sudhir Mungantiwar also participated in the debateIn response Ajit Pawar stated that the Maharashtra governmentrsquos stance is not to encourage alcohol sales but to strictly enforce prohibition rules He reassured the assembly that alcohol sales permits have been banned in the state for decades and liquor shops are not allowed near schools or collegesHe also highlighted that if there is local opposition the law allows for the closure of liquor shops through a voting processThe Maharashtra deputy CM stressed that the state government is committed to preventing illegal alcohol sales and maintaining public orderEarlier on Monday Ajit Pawar presented the Maharashtra Budget 2025 on MondayAjit Pawar presented a Rs 700020 crore budget for 202526 with a revenue deficit of Rs 45891 crore in the state legislative assemblyldquoThe Maharashtra Budget 2025 for the year 202526 has allocated a total expenditure of Rs 700020 crore Revenue collection is estimated at Rs 560964 crore while revenue expenditure is projected at Rs 606855 crore As a result the estimated revenue deficit stands at Rs 45891 crorerdquo said PawarldquoMaharashtra will not stop now development will not be delayedrdquo the Finance Minister saidAjit Pawar stated that the government is actively working to attract investments in the industrial sector leading to significant investments in Maharashtra