The Maharashtra government has decided to allow the sale of wines in supermarkets and walk-in stores. The proposal for the same has been cleared by the state cabinet too. The move is aimed at giving a boost to the wine industry of the state, benefiting the wine farmers and growing the annual revenue from wine sales. However, the decision has faced opposition from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and social activist Anna Hazare. BJP has remarked that the move will make Maharashtra a madya (alcohol) rashtra. Hazare claimed that the increased sale of alcohol can lead to addiction among young people. Thus, he has announced that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike to protest against the movement.
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Anna Hazare To Go On Indefinite Hunger Stike From February 14
Anna Hazare has announced that he will go on a hunger strike for an indefinite period from February 14 to protest against the sale of wines in supermarkets and walk-in stores in Maharashtra. Earlier, he had sent a letter to the Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray warning that if the decision is not taken back, he would go on a hunger strike at Yadav Baba temple at Ralegan Siddhi from February 14. Hazare did not receive any response from the Maharashtra government. So, he confirmed his decision to start the hunger strike.
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Maha Govt. Allowed Sale Of Wines In Shops With Minimum 1000 Sq. Feet Area
The Maharashtra government has allowed supermarkets and walk-in stores with a minimum area of 1000 square feet to sell wines. Also, the shops must have registrations under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017. Around 72 out of 110 wineries in India are Maharashtra based, of which nearly 45 are functional.