Maharashtra Allows Home Delivery of Liquor

To ensure social distancing norms are not violated amid a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infection cases in Maharashtra, the state government has decided to allow home delivery of liquor.

"Maharashtra government hereby permits the licensee holding the licensees in form FL-II, FL/BR-II, FL/W-II, as appended to the Bombay Liquor Rules 1953, to sell the IMFL - Spirits, Beer, Mild Liquor, Wines, to the permit holders by effecting delivery at the home address of the permit holders, subject to the conditions," the notification said.

"The order shall be in force and effective until the orders of lockdown issues by the government from time to time under the Disaster Management Act 2005 or any other act are in force in the state. The government may at any time and at its discretion either modify or rescind the same," it added.

The decision was taken after crowding outside liquor shops at several places in the last week caused the state to revoke allowance of liquor sale in Mumbai and other major cities where cases of infection are high.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra excise department started online token system on a pilot basis for the sale of liquor on a pilot basis in Pune and Nashik to avoid crowding at shops.

Under the new system, those who get the token can purchase liquor at a store.