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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Government Form Committee To Explore Revenue Through Liquor, Cigarette Sales Amid Fund Issues

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State governments, when drowning in debt, have no option but to tweak the excise policy on sin goods like cigarettes and liguor. Maharashtra may be no exception to the norm.

With its income sources already stretched thin, the cash-strapped Mahayuti government has decided to pop open a bottle of opportunity—appointing a five-member committee to explore liquor production and sales as a new revenue stream.

The committee, chaired by the additional secretary for the housing department, Appoints Committee to Study Liquor Policies for Revenue e Generation brings together a medley of bureaucrats: the additional chief secretaries from finance and state excise, the commissioner of state GST, and the member secretary, the state excise commissioner.

Together, they’ll be tasked with reviewing policies on liquor production, sales licenses, excise duties, and, crucially, revenue-maximizing practices adopted by other states, Expect a menu of recommendations on how to spice up state coffers. The committee’s. main course? A proposal already served up by the state excise commissioner, aimed at increasing annual income through liquor production and sales.

The plan? Crack down on illegal liquor sales and serve up more licenses for retail outlets. If this proposal is uncorked, it could boost the state’s revenue while also tidying up the department’ existing operations. ‘Why the sudden thirst for extra revenue, you ask? Blame the evergrowing list of populist promises made ahead of the state elections, which now need to be fulfilled. Take the Ladki Bahin scheme, for example—it demands a whopping Rs 46,000 crore annually.

Add to that loan waivers for farmers and covering electricity bills for agriculture pump sets, and you’ve got a recipe for fiscal trouble. To top it off, the state needs an extra Rs 600 crore to hike the Ladki Bahin disbursement from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. Then there’s the debt. With loans soon expected to touch Rs 8 lakh crore, the state needs a sugar rush of revenue to keep things running smoothly. Aside from GST, Maharashtra relies heavily on VAT from petrol and diesel, stamp duties, vehicle taxes, and—of course—excise revenues. And so, the state is eyeing liquor sales as a cash cow.

But here’s the rub: the state’s current policy freezes the number of retail liquor licenses, a decision made back in 1974. With Maharashtra’s population growing and new urban areas cropping up, the demand for wine shops and country liquor outlets is higher than ever. The state excise department believes it’s high time to revisit this policy. Currently, there are 1,720 licenses for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and 4,346 for country liquor, not including those granted to restaurants with permit rooms. As population booms and urbanization spreads, the excise department is suggesting that the state loosen its grip on liquor licenses and let more outlets sprout up, bringing in fresh revenue while reducing the black market’s grip.

So, is the state taking the path of least resistance, or is it simply opening a new bottle of opportunity? Only time (and the committee’s recommendations) will tell—but it seems like Maharashtra is preparing to raise a glass to new ways of keeping the state’s finances in the black.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: 70 to 80 guests of the wedding feast in Nahor fell ill with food poisoning, police continue investigation, FDA collects samples

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70 to 80 guests have been admitted to the hospital after they fell sick during a feast in Mumbai Mumbai Nahoor wedding ceremony In this case FDA has obtained the sample of the food and the police have also started investigation in this case Food report case Police will register a case in this case it has been confirmed by DCP Abhay Sinha Deshmukh here A wedding ceremony was held at Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall in Nahore West on 1st November 2026 happened About 400 to 500 people attended the event. It is suspected that between 70 to 100 people who attended the last round of the meal suffered food poisoning. When symptoms appeared, they were admitted to hospitals for medical treatment.

Out of them, 22 persons have been admitted to Agarwal Hospital in Milind, 4 children have been admitted to Kamagar Hospital in Milind, and 5 persons have been admitted to a hospital in Vikhroli.
All the patients are currently in stable condition and are undergoing treatment. Concerned authorities are monitoring the situation and taking necessary action. Police will soon register an FIR in this matter.

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Maharashtra

A young man was safely pulled out of the sea by the diligence of the Mumbai police.

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In Mumbai, an alert Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) saved a man who was attempting suicide; the officer’s timely intervention proved instrumental in preserving a precious life. On November 2, the Mumbai Police rescued an individual who had attempted suicide by entering the sea. Shortly after midnight on November 2, the Mumbai Police Control Room received a report that a man had entered the sea in the Worli Koliwada area with the intention of taking his own life. Upon receiving the information, Police Constable Pawar (Beat Marshal 1) and the Sub-Inspector immediately arrived at the specified location in Worli Koliwada. On arrival, they observed a man in the sea. Realizing that the individual’s life was in danger, Constable Pawar and the Sub-Inspector entered the water and took action to bring him out. As a result of their efforts, the man was safely pulled from the sea. Subsequently, they identified the individual and gathered the necessary details regarding the incident. They also assessed his physical condition and ensured that he received immediate medical attention. Thanks to their timely arrival and prompt action, a potential loss of life was averted. This information was provided by Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Ghadigaonkar of the Dadar Police Station, Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

‘Fight between Sharia and Constitution’: Maha Minister targets INDIA Bloc over Ramlila Maidan rally

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Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday alleged that the INDIA Bloc wanted to introduce Sharia law in the country and accused its leaders of opposing the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Speaking to reporters, Rane said democracy and the constitutional framework must be protected, alleging that the opposition alliance wanted to dismantle the existing democratic system.

“Democracy must be protected, shouldn’t it? The people of the INDIA Bloc want to introduce Sharia law in our country. The INDIA alliance is opposed to Babasaheb Ambedkar and his Constitution, isn’t it? That is why they do not want the Election Commission or the Supreme Court. They want to dismantle the entire constitutional framework and democratic system so that they can introduce Sharia law in the country. This is what the INDIA Bloc leaders are doing,” he said.

“This is a fight between Sharia and the Constitution, and we are fighting to protect the latter. We stand with the Constitution. That is why, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, we are organising rallies,” he said.

Rane also criticised the INDIA Bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, claiming that it failed to attract a significant crowd.

“The fact that people did not turn up was clearly visible. There are several videos showing empty chairs, with hardly anyone visible even in the distance. If the hero of a film itself is a flop, the film is bound to flop too. That is why the show they tried to put on at Ramlila Maidan has completely flopped,” he said.

Reacting to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Shiv Tandav and Shiv Bharat during the rally, Rane said anyone could participate in such celebrations, reflecting the inclusive nature of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.

However, he questioned whether Hindus were equally welcome to participate in Eid and Muharram celebrations and said Gandhi should have asked the Muslim League leaders and clerics present on the stage about it.

Rane also reacted to Bollywood actress Dia Mirza’s social media post advising people to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner.

“The kind of tweet Dia Mirza has posted about Diwali, and the kind of advice she is giving, is something we never see her doing during Eid, Muharram or Bakrid. Whenever Holi or Diwali comes around, people are advised to celebrate in an environment-friendly manner. Try asking people to observe an environment-friendly Ramadan or celebrate an environment-friendly Bakrid. Then we will believe that they are giving the right advice to everyone equally,” he said.

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