Nagpur (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that shops selling Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) as well as country liquor will be required to obtain mandatory consent from registered housing societies before commencing operations from the commercial spaces on their premises.

Pawar, who also heads the excise department, directed that this new policy be implemented across the state.

"Permission from registered housing societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Pawar told the Lower House of the state legislature while responding to a question raised by BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap, who represents the Chinchwad assembly constituency in Pune district.

Jagtap sought cancellation of licences of liquor shops operating in Chinchwad-Kalewadi area of Pune.

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During the discussion, he said that Vikrant Wine, a liquor shop in Sahyadri Society, had begun operations in violation of norms.

The building was incomplete when permission was granted, and the licence had been issued on the basis of incomplete documents, Jagtap said, demanding action against those responsible.

Responding to this, Pawar reiterated the mandatory requirement of the respective housing society's consent for liquor outlets, and informed the House about the action taken regarding the two shops against which complaints had been received.

During the Budget session of the state legislature held in March this year, Pawar had announced that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from housing societies will be mandatory for liquor vends if they wish to migrate to their premises.

Many housing societies have commercial establishments, with some even having liquor vends.

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Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.

The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.

"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.

The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.

The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.

The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.

Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.

Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.

 

He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.

The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.

Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.