The Maharashtra government is taking various steps to bring the economy, derailed by the pandemic, back on track. But it is liquor which is leading Operation Unlock, with over 1 lakh people, over a month, applying for permit for home delivery of liquor.

From May 15, the State has allowed home delivery of liquor. It has also cleared the technical snags in procuring drinking permits. Further, the government has made available various online and offline platforms for this. As a result, last month, over 1 lakh people applied for and received permits, according to State government data.

Between May 15 and June 7, around 10.78 lakh consumers have availed themselves of liquor home delivery, State Excise Commissioner Kantilal Umap said in a statement .

Maharashtra earns about ₹28,000 crore every year from the sale of alcoholic beverages. But the lockdown reduced the flow of currency into the State coffers.

Considering the rising demand, the State is keeping vigil on the borders to curb illegal liquor flow from neighbouring States. During the lockdown, State police seized illicit liquor worth ₹18.99 crore and arrested 3,450 people for indulging in illegal liquor trade.

Meanwhile, the rural police are on the vigil to curb the production and sale of country liquor, which has captured the rural market as the lockdown is being relaxed.

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