Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray has written to state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded the latter to open liquor shops to generate revenue for the cash strapped state government.
In the letter, the MNS chief said, “The state should not be caught in moral issues. The government should ensure the opening of liquor shops.”
“It is uncertain as for how long we will have to deal with this lockdown. In such a situation by keeping the wine shops open the state can start generating some revenue,” he added.
“One should not be misunderstood that by keeping wine shops open the government is catering to the needs of the alcohol consumers. The main purpose behind the move should be looked as a way of income generation,” he further added.
“The state generates a liquor duty of Rs 1250 crore monthly, which translates into Rs 14,000 crore annually. The state has already lost a substantial amount of revenue during this lockdown,” the MNS chief further wrote in the letter.
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