Liquor Shops, Bars, Pubs in Maharashtra to Remain Open Till 5 AM on December 24, 25 And 31 For Christmas & New Year Celebrations; Alcohol Consumption in Public View Prohibited
In view of New Year 2020 and Christmas celebrations, the Maharashtra government has allowed liquor shops and bars to stay open till 5:00 am.
Mumbai, December 22: In view of New Year 2020 and Christmas celebrations, the Maharashtra government has allowed liquor shops and bars to stay open till 5:00 am and wine shops till 1:00 am on December 24, 25 and 31. Usually, liquor shops are not allowed to remain open post 11:30 pm, while permit rooms are kept open till 1:30 am. Consumption of alcohol in public view or at a public place remains prohibited across Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh Inching Towards Liquor Prohibition, 40% Bars to Be Shut Down by Jagan Mohan Reddy Government.
Christman is celebrated on December 25 and December 31 will mark the end of 2019. People go out to celebrate in large numbers especially in Pune and Mumbai. The party-goers have been advised by the state government to buy alcohol from licensed shops and avoid cheaper imported duty-free liquor. The state excise police and vigilance department is keeping a tight vigil on the supply of adulterated alcohol. Even Light Alcohol Consumption May Increase Cancer Risk.
"The consumption of such liquor will not only result in financial loss but may also have a dangerous and negative impact on your health," Excise Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare Verma was quoted by Times of India as saying. A huge stock of duplicate duty-free liquor bottles worth Rs 3 crore has been seized by the excise department since May. Recently, fake alcohol bottles worth around Rs 13 lakh was confiscated in Mumbai's Saki Naka area.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 22, 2019 11:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).