Thaindian News

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) In an attempt to discourage youngsters from consuming alcohol, the Maharashtra government Wednesday hiked the minimum age for drinking beer from 18 to 21 and hard liquor from 21 to 25.

Announcing this, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan denied that it was an attempt at moral policing and said that the decision was unanimously taken by the state cabinet.

Chavan said the move was intended to increase people’s participation to control alcohol consumption.

However, wine consumption has not been barred for any age group.

“One of the major areas of concern is to control the consumption of illegal liquor which kills people. If sale of illegal liquor is found anywhere, the police and excise chief would be held responsible,” Chavan warned.

He said the government would launch a campaign to curb liquor consumption, especially among youngsters, by releasing advertisements, publicity through different media and even in school textbooks on the hazards of liquor.

In a related move, women have been ‘empowered’ in the liquor control programme - 25 percent of women voters in a city ward or a village panchayat can seek closure of any liquor shop in their locality.

Chavan said that despite debates and divergent opinion from different people, there was unanimity that habitual alcohol consumption costs a lot to society and causes stress on the health care system.

Though laws exist, there are limitations to their effectiveness, and in districts like Wardha and the Maoist-hit Gadchiroli where prohibition is in force, there are other side effects, Chavan pointed out.

Chavan admitted that though it is not a perfect policy, the government would continue its efforts to discourage youngsters from drinking.