Today, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly turned the idea of 'Dry Kharghar'. Pawar clarified that no municipal corporation, including Panvel Municipal Corporation, has a legal right to cancel the existing liquor license unilaterally. In 2023, the BJP MLA Prashant Thakur was led by the "Dry Zone" proposal passed by the Panvel Municipal Corporation, who urged the state government to cancel the license and support the prohibition of the local people.

 

Pawar, who oversees both finance and excise portfolios, clarified that while the government and he personally may discourage alcohol consumption, it cannot override citizens’ constitutional rights in a democracy. He urged that any move toward prohibition must follow proper legal procedures: a formal petition, scrutiny, and subsequent action in line with established norms. Drawing on past experiences, Pawar cautioned that prohibition in one region often pushes consumers to nearby areas, thereby defeating the policy’s intent.

 

He urged the assembly to accept that in democracy, citizens have freedom of selection - even if leadership dislikes some matters. He also stated that earlier district-level liquor restrictions have been reversed, as people had started getting liquor from neighboring areas, causing local sanctions to ineffective and inconvenient.

 

Emphasizing the importance of the legal process, Pawar has put a practical stand on liquor ban in Kharhar. Even though his words have reduced the hopes of becoming an immediate 'dry zone', this is his clear message: any change should be done keeping in mind the legitimate, phased and comprehensive effects. Later, the Maharashtra government will possibly require detailed petitions and strong legal framework in cases like cancellation of liquor license - whether it is Kharghar or any other area.