Women’s votes to decide on alcohol ban in Maharashtra’s Panvel

Corporators cutting across party lines approved a resolution in PMC general body meeting on Monday, to ban alcohol in the Panvel region.

The women of Panvel have the right to make sure that the decision taken by Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday to ban sale of alcohol in the region comes to effect.

Panvel now has the distinction of being the first municipal corporation to pass resolution to ban alcohol. (Shutterstock)

According to PMC commissioner Sudhakar Shinde, once they receive the formal proposal, they will take it up with the district collector and the state government.

“According to the law, over 50% of women of each designated area in Panvel will have to vote for the ban in their respective areas in order for the decision to be implemented. The referendum will be conducted by district collector through ballot paper,” Shinde said.

Panvel, which had over the years become notorious - first for its dance bars, which were later banned and then ladies bar - now has the distinction of being the first municipal corporation to pass resolution to ban alcohol.

“There is no politics in this. Everyone wants to rid the region of alcohol menace that has destroyed several homes,” said PMC house leader Paresh Thakur.

Meanwhile, bar and liquor shop owners have opposed the move, and plan on going to court.

“For several months, we had faced loss of business owing to the 500m highway ban. We were just trying to get back on our feet, and are facing this new crisis,” said a member of Navi Mumbai Bar association.