Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar who holds the Finance and Planning portfolios said on Tuesday that it will be mandatory to obtain a  no objection certificate (NOC) for opening a liquor store in the commercial space of a housing society.

Speaking in the legislative assembly, Pawar said that if any individual wishes to open a liquor store in the commercial space of a housing society, it will be mandatory for the individual to obtain an NOC from the society. “Without the society’s NOC, the liquor store will not be permitted to open in Maharashtra,” said Pawar.

The move is aimed to prevent the younger generation from getting addicted to alcohol, maintain peace within housing societies thereby improving law and order.

Pawar also stated that if 75% of the votes in a ward favour the closure of a liquor shop, the shop will be mandatorily closed as per the law.

He was responding to an attention motion raised by MLAs Mahesh Landge and Rahul Kul, highlighting the law and order issues arising due to liquor shops in housing societies. Pawar added that the state government does not intend to promote liquor sales but to ensure strict enforcement of prohibition laws.

He added that liquor sales licences in the state have been closed for several decades, and liquor shops are prohibited near schools and colleges. Additionally, if locals oppose the presence of a liquor shop, a voting system is in place. In municipal wards, if 75% of the votes are in favour of closing a liquor shop, it will be closed immediately.

"The government is committed to stopping illegal liquor sales and protecting law and order. No action promoting liquor sales will be entertained. Every concern raised by the people’s representatives and citizens will be considered seriously," he said.