Maharashtra Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that the state government had cancelled statutory “dry days” for Holi, Muharram and Gandhi Jayanti, calling them “fake news,” according to PTI.
He clarified that the existing liquor policy remains unchanged and that the state will continue to enforce eight mandatory dry days under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
The clarification came after social media posts alleged that the ban on liquor sales during Holi, Muharram and Gandhi Jayanti had been revoked.
As per existing rules, the sale of liquor is prohibited on the following days:
January 26 (Republic Day)
January 30 (Martyrs’ Day)
May 1 (Maharashtra Day)
Ashadhi Ekadashi
August 15 (Independence Day)
Anant Chaturdashi
October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti/Prohibition Week)
Kartiki Ekadashi
The commissioner also stated that under Section 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, district collectors have the authority to declare additional dry days within their respective jurisdictions.
Officials urged the public not to rely on unverified social media posts regarding changes to excise rules.
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