Media Release

Mumbai, Mar 26: Office bearers of the federation representing permit room operators held a crucial meeting with Maharashtra deputy chief minister and finance and excise minister Ajit Pawar and excise commissioner Ranjit Deshmukh.
The meeting, facilitated by federation advisor Kalathur Vishwanath J Shetty, focused on addressing key challenges faced by permit room operators and proposing viable solutions.

During the discussion, the delegation highlighted several pressing concerns:

Streamlined VAT collection: The federation proposed that VAT on liquor be collected directly from distilleries and breweries instead of permit rooms to ensure immediate revenue realization for the state government.

Review of FL-III license fee hikes: The delegation urged the government to reconsider the annual increase in FL-III license fees, citing the financial strain on permit room operators, especially in the wake of illicit liquor sales near wine shops and roadside dhabas.

Abolition of liquor consumption permits: Maharashtra remains one of the few states requiring individual liquor consumption permits. The federation requested the government to abolish this outdated requirement in line with national practices.

Integration of restaurant and permit room areas: The mandatory segregation of restaurant and permit room areas was called unnecessary and inconsistent with regulations in other states. The delegation proposed removing this requirement to improve operational efficiency.

Action against illegal liquor sales: The unchecked sale of illicit liquor at roadside dhabas and unauthorized establishments was flagged as a major issue affecting legitimate permit rooms. The federation urged the government to implement stricter enforcement measures across Maharashtra.

The meeting was attended by federation representatives, including president Virar Shankar B Shetty, vice-president Dayanand Shetty, general secretary Durghaprasad C Salian, joint secretary Bhaskar T Shetty, advisor chairman Kalathur Vishwanath J Shetty, and hoteliers Suresh Yeyadi, Rajeev Jaiswal (president, Nagpur Hotel Association), Nitin Mohod (secretary, Nagpur Hotel Association), and Naveen Bhavankar (treasurer).

Both Ajit Pawar and Ranjit Deshmukh gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised and assured their cooperation in resolving these issues at the earliest. The federation has urged all member associations to await an official announcement from the state government.