Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena leader, defended the Maharashtra government’s decision to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and walk-in stores on Friday, claiming that wine and liquor are not interchangeable.

Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the Shiv Sena-led coalition administration in Maharashtra is trying to turn the state into a “Madya-rashtra (liquor state).”

Also read: Why Maharashtra government has allowed sale of wine in supermarkets: explained

“Wine is not liquor. If wine sales increase (in the state), farmers will benefit from it. We have done this to double farmers’ income. The BJP only opposes moves, but does nothing for farmers,” Raut slammed Fadnavis’ words.

“We will not allow Maharashtra to become a Madya-rashtra. He said the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government did nothing to help people during the two years of the pandemic, and their “priority is promoting the sale of liquor”. Fadnavis stated, accusing the Uddhav Thackeray government of prioritising booze sales over other essential issues. 

Also read: SC quashes suspension of 12 BJP MLAs from Maharashtra Assembly, terms it ‘unconstitutional’

A proposal to sell wine at supermarkets and walk-in stores across Maharashtra for a single yearly licence cost of 5,000 was approved by the Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday. The move intends to provide Indian vineyards with a more accessible marketing outlet.

Wine bars that presently sell wine for consumption on their premises (under the E-2 licence) will be able to sell wine in sealed bottles for off-premises use as well.

Also read: Will BJP ask President to resign for praising Tipu Sultan?: Shiv Sena Leader

On December 31, 2021, a two-decade tax break for wine produced in Maharashtra came to an end.

Maharashtra is home to 72 of the country’s 110 wineries. Around 40 to 45 of these are operating. Only 15 to 20 units, on the other hand, are involved in direct marketing, while the rest are involved in contract production.