Supermarkets, Walk-in Stores In Maharashtra Can Now Sell Wine: Here's What Pushed The Move

Maharashtra cabinet approved the decision of allowing supermarkets and shops to sell wine directly to the consumers.

Why is wine being sold at supermarkets?

But, why? In view of boosting the wine industry and supporting grapes growing farmers, the Maharashtra cabinet approved the decision of allowing supermarkets and shops to sell wine.

¡°Once the wine industry grows, then automatically, it will help the farmers to get good return to their crops. Marketing of this industry will be also done. In Maharashtra, presently wine has been produced using grapes, fruits, flowers, banana and honey,¡± reads the note.

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It further added that most of the winery in Maharashtra is successful in production of wine, but lack marketing. ¡°This decision of allowing supermarkets and shops to sell wine will boost their sales. It will not only help the wineries but farmers as well. In supermarkets, the sealed bottles of wine will be sold directly to consumers. The government will issue the FL and AXC license to supermarkets and shops to sell wine,¡± stated the cabinet note.

Who can and cannot sell it?

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office, the ¡°shelf-in-shop¡± method can be adopted by those supermarkets and stores that have an area of 1,000 square feet or more and are registered under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act.

However, supermarkets near places of worship and educational institutes will not be permitted to sell wine. Further, the sale of wine will not be allowed in districts where prohibition is in force. Supermarkets will have to pay annual fee of Rs 5,000 for the license to sell wine.

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What is the opposition saying?

Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP has slammed the decision and alleged that the state government is promoting consumption of liquor. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said, ¡°We will not allow Maharashtra to become a Madya-rashtra [liquor state].¡±

¡°The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government did not help people during two years of the pandemic but its priority is promoting the sale of liquor,¡± he added.

What is the govt saying?

NCP minister Nawab Malik said that the decision of allowing super-market and shops to sell wine has been taken up to help the wine industry and farmers as well. He said that the BJP should not criticize this progressive decision of Maha Vikas Aghadi because in BJP-ruled states like Goa and Haryana, the sale of wine in supermarkets has been already implemented.

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Jagdish Holkar, president of All India Wine Producer Association said that the Maharashtra government has taken a historic decision on Thursday by allowing supermarket and shops to sell the wine directly to consumers.

¡°Allowing supermarkets and shops to sell wine is a stepping stone decision. It will set the precedent so other states will also follow the suit. Now, wine will be the family drink,¡± Holkar added.

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