The Maharashtra cabinet announced on January 27 that they are allowing the sale of wine in departmental stores, supermarkets, and grocery stores. Nawab Malik, the Cabinet Minister of the state, clarified that shops must be over 1,000 square feet. Earlier wine was only available for purchase in liquor stores

Financial benefit for local wine producers

Maharashtra is known for having several in-state wine producers and farmers. In fact, the Sula Vineyard remains a popular tourist destination for many too. This decision to make wines available in departmental stores and similar outlets is expected to boost sales. The liberalised policy is expected to help see a jump in retail sales from 70 lakh litres per year to one crore litres every year. 

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Lower alcohol content

The government further explained its decision saying that wine contained a lower percentage of pure spirits, as compared to other alcoholic drinks. 

Increased demand for wine

Moreover, there is a large demand for wine in restaurants and bakeries for various types of recipes. Thus, there is a need for wine to be sold as a canned item, just like other groceries. 

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India has a 1000 crore wine retail business, out of which Maharashtra accounts for 65%. Further, the wineries in Nashik itself make up 80% of India’s total wine production, followed by Sangli, Pune, Solapur, Buldhana and Ahmednagar. Now, the cabinet will also charge a nominal excise duty of 10 rupees per bulk litre, on all types of wine bottles.  

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Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed this move with former Chief Minister of state, Devendra Fadnavis, saying that the party would not tolerate Maharastra being turned into ‘madya rashtra’ (liquor state). He criticized the move in a tweet, saying, “Alcohol cheaper than petrol and diesel. Permission to sell alcohol after lifting ban. Decision to issue new liquor licenses and now sale of wine in supermarkets and grocery stores.”