Maharashtra collects Rs 11 cr from day one of liquor sale

The Maharashtra government collected Rs 11 crore in revenue on day one of liquor sale after relaxations in COVID-19 lockdown were announced, a top official said on Tuesday.

"As per primary information, liquor shops have sold around four lakh litres of various brands of IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) . We seemed to have received Rs 11 crore from sale and excise duty of various types of liquor", said Kantilal Umap, state excise commissioner.

Following relaxations in lockdown norms, long queues of tipplers were seen outside standalone liquor shops on Monday in various parts of Maharashtra though authorities in some districts decided not to permit alcohol sale.

All liquor shops were closed ever since a national lockdown was imposed across the country on March 25 to halt the spread of coronavirus. The lockdown was extended till May 17, but standalone liquor shops were permitted to operate as part of relaxations by the state government.