Navi Mumbai: In an open letter addressed to Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur, former corporator and founder of Kharghar colony forum, Leena Arjun Garad has demanded immediate and firm action to address the persistent issue of alcohol outlets in Kharghar. She urged the legislator to ensure that Kharghar is officially declared a liquor-free city through appropriate legislative measures in the upcoming Assembly session.
The letter was written in the wake of a protest held on Friday in which citizens across party lines participated to oppose the reopening of liquor outlets in the locality. "Despite this protest, JJ Rasoi and Golden Coin Wine Mart resumed operations by the evening, raising serious concerns among residents. Such actions suggest liquor license holders and bar owners are functioning with impunity, disregarding both public protests and the presence of a ruling-party MLA," Garad said.
Garad in her letter questioned how, despite strong opposition, licenses are still being issued to beer bars and wine shops in Kharghar by the State Excise Department. She attributed this to multiple shortcomings and legal loopholes.
She stated that the government has never officially granted Kharghar the status of a 'No Liquor Zone' or a 'Liquor-Free City'. "Furthermore, under current laws, bar or wine shop owners are not legally required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from housing societies. Additionally, the law does not consider the sentiments of local residents while issuing such licenses. Hence a legislative action is required," she urged.
"Municipal corporations also have no legal authority to withhold NOCs, and their opinion is not mandatory in the licensing process. The existing law is biased in favor of bar owners. Under the current system, a shop or bar can only be shut down if more than 50% of the women listed on the voter roll of the concerned ward participate in the vote, and a majority of them vote against liquor. However, achieving such participation is nearly impossible, as even finding over 50% of those women on the ground is a challenge," she said.
Garad also recalled of the assurance made by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during the last legislative session, to make it legally mandatory for bar and wine shop owners to obtain NOCs from housing societies. She expressed her disappointment that the assurance was not yet converted into a Government Resolution (GR).
In her concluding appeal, Garad urged MLA Prashant Thakur to use his influence as the local elected representative to ensure that Ajit Pawar initiates the promised government resolution in the upcoming session.
Furthermore, she requested Thakur to table and pass a bill during the next session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that would officially recognize Kharghar as a liquor-free city on a permanent basis.
