Sudden surge in liquor permit takers in city

The number of applications by Mumbaiites for liquor permits has surged in the past month. The excise department has received around 1,150 applications during this period, said Mohan Varde, superintendent, State Excise, Mumbai. In the corresponding period last year, the number was approximately 200, he said.

The number of applications by Mumbaiites for liquor permits has surged in the past month. The excise department has received around 1,150 applications during this period, said Mohan Varde, superintendent, State Excise, Mumbai. In the corresponding period last year, the number was approximately 200, he said.

Senior excise officials said this could be because of the recent spurt in accidents caused by drink driving. Varde said: “The surge could be on account of two factors — media publicity about drink driving accidents, and the crackdown on permit rooms/bars by the excise department for not adhering to the permit conditions while serving liquor to patrons.

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A majority of the permits issued recently have been lifetime permits, he said. If you are 25 years or above, you can obtain a lifetime liquor permit by filling up the required form against a payment of Rs 1,000.