New Delhi: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday against the state government’s decision to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and walk-in shops.
In his letter, Anna also warned Maharashtra CM to go on an infinite strike against the decision, news agency ANI reported.
Last Thursday, Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Nawab Malik announced that the state cabinet has decided to expand fruit-based wineries, which provide additional revenue to farmers.
Decision For Sale Of Wine In Supermarkets Unfortunate: Anna Hazare
After the government's decision, the social activist had said that it was unfortunate that the Maharashtra government was giving priority to liquor sales for financial gains.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hazare stated that it is the government's responsibility to dissuade people from using drugs, drinking alcohol, and becoming addicted.
It is disheartening to see decisions being made to encourage alcohol and addiction just for the sake of generating income, he added.
"The Maharashtra government recently decided to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and grocery stores. This decision is very unfortunate for the people of Maharashtra. The state government said the decision was taken in the interest of farmers. The state government also said wine is not alcohol. The real question is where will such a decision take the state?" the activist was quoted by PTI in its report.
Concerning farmers' interests, he stated that the state and federal governments should pay a fair price for what regular cultivators cultivate in their fields.
"But, what exactly the government wants to achieve by setting a target of selling 1,000 crore litres of wine a year? This means the government is okay with people getting addicted, but it (government) will insist that its revenue should increase," he further added.
Hazare further stated that the Maharashtra government decreased the Excise tax on imported Scotch whisky by 50% in November last year.
After Maharashtra, Karnataka May Also Allow Sale Of Wine At Supermarkets
Following in the footsteps of Maharashtra, the Karnataka government is also expected to allow the sale of wine at supermarkets and walk-in stores.
Karnataka Excise Minister K Gopalaiah said on Sunday that the state government will send a team to Maharashtra to study the concept and determine whether to apply it.
"It is newly introduced. We will send a committee to study it and will make a decision based on their report," Gopalaiah was quoted by ANI in its report.
(With Agencies Inputs)