Maharashtra government earns Rs 11 crore on first day of liquor sale – The New Indian Express | Tech Reddy

By PTI

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government collected Rs 11 crore in revenue on the first day of liquor sales after relaxations in the COVID-19 lockdown were announced, a top official said on Tuesday.

Liquor shops have sold about four lakh liters of different brands of IMFL (foreign made in India liquor) in the state, he said.

After relaxation in lockdown norms, long queues of tipplers were seen outside standalone liquor stores in various parts of Maharashtra on Monday, even as authorities in some districts decided not to allow the sale of alcohol.

All liquor stores have been closed since a nationwide lockdown was imposed across the country on March 25 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The lockdown has been extended till May 17, but autonomous liquor shops have been allowed to operate in part through relaxations by the state government.

The government’s decision saw a large number of tipplers queuing up outside liquor stores across the state on Monday and Tuesday.

“According to primary information, the liquor shops have sold around four lakh liters of various brands of IMFL. We seem to have received Rs 11 crore from the sale and excise duty of various types of liquor,” said Kantilal Umap, statutory commissioner of excise duty

Restaurants and lounges in the state are not functioning as of now; so this income is only from the sale of IMFL from standalone counters, Umap said.

Maharashtra earns Rs 25,500 crore from the sale and excise duty on various types of liquor, beer and wine annually, the commissioner said.

However, the average daily income is Rs 78 crore on a normal day, he said.

However, some district collectors have decided not to open liquor shops in their respective jurisdiction.

On Monday, police resorted to light lathicharge in some places, including Kolhapur and Pune, to disperse people gathered outside liquor outlets.

</p> <p>MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government collected Rs 11 crore in revenue on the first day of liquor sales after relaxations in the COVID-19 lockdown were announced, a top official said on Tuesday. Liquor shops have sold about four lakh liters of different brands of IMFL (foreign made in India liquor) in the state, he said. After relaxation in lockdown norms, long queues of tipplers were seen outside standalone liquor stores in various parts of Maharashtra on Monday, even as authorities in some districts decided not to allow the sale of alcohol. All liquor stores have been closed since a nationwide lockdown was imposed across the country on March 25 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The lockdown has been extended till May 17, but autonomous liquor shops have been allowed to operate in part through relaxations by the state government. The government’s decision saw a large number of tipplers queuing up outside liquor stores across the state on Monday and Tuesday. “According to primary information, the liquor shops have sold around four lakh liters of various brands of IMFL. We seem to have received Rs 11 crore from the sale and excise duty of various types of liquor,” said Kantilal Umap, statutory commissioner of excise duty Restaurants and lounges in the state are not functioning as of now; so this income is only from the sale of IMFL from standalone counters, Umap said. Maharashtra earns Rs 25,500 crore from the sale and excise duty on various types of liquor, beer and wine annually, the commissioner said. However, the average daily income is Rs 78 crore on a normal day, he said. However, some district collectors have decided not to open liquor shops in their respective jurisdiction. On Monday, police resorted to light lathicharge in some places, including Kolhapur and Pune, to disperse people gathered outside liquor outlets.<br />