Over 20,000 bar homeowners in Maharashtra have introduced a statewide ‘Bar Bandh’ and ‘No Alcohol’ strike immediately. This protest is towards the Devendra Fadnavis authorities’s determination to extend excise responsibility. The shutdown is supported by lodge associations in Palghar, Vasai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Nashik.
The strike, led by the Resort and Restaurant Affiliation of Western India (HRAWI) is to protest the 60 per cent hike in excise responsibility, the 15 per cent improve in annual FL3 license charges for FY26, and the ten per cent VAT on Indian-Made International Liquor (IMFL) bought at FL3 retailers imposed by the Maharashtra authorities. These measures are anticipated to handle the monetary pressure from the Ladki Bahin scheme however have precipitated sturdy opposition from bar homeowners.
The tax will increase have raised liquor costs considerably. A 180-ml bottle of nation liquor now prices Rs 80, up from Rs 60–70. Maharashtra-made liquor is priced at Rs 148. Indian-made international liquor has elevated from Rs 130 to Rs 205, and premium international liquor now prices Rs 360, up from Rs 210.
Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, stated this triple improve may pressure many institutions to shut completely. Shaw added that the hospitality sector helps over 20 lakh jobs and attracts 15 crore vacationers yearly, making it an important a part of Maharashtra’s financial system. HRAWI warned that the present tax regime may result in widespread bar closures, lack of over 4 lakh jobs, vacationers shifting to neighbouring states, and an increase in unregulated alcohol consumption.
The state’s plan to challenge 328 new liquor sale licenses, primarily to firms somewhat than particular person shopkeepers, has raised allegations of favouritism. Every liquor manufacturing firm is predicted to obtain eight licenses. The committee overseeing international liquor manufacturing licenses is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose son is a director at Capovitez, a liquor manufacturing firm. Critics have accused this of a battle of curiosity.
UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut stated, “Maharashtra is popping right into a land of drunkards,” whereas social activist Anjali Damania argued that Ajit Pawar mustn’t head the committee. Ajit Pawar has not commented on these allegations.
HRAWI has urged the federal government to rethink the tax hikes, overview the yearly license price revisions, and interact in dialogue with trade our bodies to develop a sustainable coverage. The general public and trade stakeholders are actually questioning whose pursuits the federal government’s liquor insurance policies serve.
