Wine shops to remain open on Wednesday

Wine shops in the city will remain open on Wednesday. The state excise department, which had announced a prohibition on the sale of liquor on Wednesday on account of the counting of votes for the legislative council elections, amended its directive on Monday.

Wine shops in the city will remain open on Wednesday. The state excise department, which had announced a prohibition on the sale of liquor on Wednesday on account of the counting of votes for the legislative council elections, amended its directive on Monday.

Mohan Varde, superintendent, state excise for Mumbai district, told HT on Monday that this was done because the government had shifted the location for the counting of votes to Navi Mumbai. “There is no point imposing a prohibition on the sale of liquor in the city as the counting will not be held in Mumbai,” Varde said. Decisions on prohibition are taken by the collector fearing law and order problems during the election process, he said. Asked whether Navi Mumbai will go dry on Wednesday, Varde said, “That is up to the collector there.”

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The government had declared last Saturday as a dry day on account of the Ashadhi Ekadashi festival. The two consecutive days—Sunday and Monday—were also declared dry due to the council polls.