Action against illicit liquor dens increases excise income

Mumbai, Apr 7 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the excise income of the state has increased by Rs 1,700 crore with action initiated against illicit liquor dens and their operators.

Replying to a calling attention notice by Chandrakant Shivarkar (Cong), Mr Patil said 78,893 people have so far been arrested for trading in illicit liquor.

He said the government was considering change in the norms of closing liquor shops in the villages. The norm was, if 50 per cent of women demanded the closure of shops, then they would be closed.

The government was considering the proposal to bring down the percentage to 35 of the total women or 50 per cent of actual voting participants.

Mr Patil said the government would not give licence to open new liquor shops.

Replying to another notice, Minister of State for Transport Dharmarao Baba Atram said the government would consider giving some concessions to disabled and blind people.

UNI JM SSS OBB ARB BD1938