Anna Hazare's warning to Maharashtra govt over decision on wine sale"Will go on infinite strike" if the decision is not revoked

Mumbai: Social activist Anna Hazare has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray opposing the state government’s decision to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and walk-in shops.

In the letter, Hazare also warned the state government that he would go on infinite strike if the decision is not revoked.

The social activist had earlier said that the decision was unfortunate and could result in liquor addiction.

“It's the duty of Govt to work towards de-addiction, but I'm saddened to see that it is taking decisions, for financial benefits, that would result in liquor addiction,” he added.

Last month, the Maharashtra government allowed the sale of wine in supermarkets and walk-in stores in the state, drawing immense flak from the



Opposition BJP.

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said “shelf-in-shop” method will be adopted in supermarkets and walk-in-stores which have area of 100 sq mt or more and which are registered under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act.

However, the supermarkets which are near places of worship or educational institutions cannot sell wine.

Critcising the decision, the BJP said that the state government was promoting liquor.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government did not help people during two years of the pandemic but its “priority is promoting the sale of liquor,”

“We will not allow Maharashtra to become a Madya-rashtra (`liquor state’),” the former chief minister said.