The state government, on Friday affirmed that there is no plan to ban licensed liquor sales across the state, but to prevent illegal sale and production of spurious liquor

The state government, on Friday affirmed that there is no plan to ban licensed liquor sales across the state, but to prevent illegal sale and production of spurious liquor.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Thursday clarified in the state legislature. He said legal prohibition always puts additional pressure of the police force which is already under duress in view of law and order and investigations.

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The state has prohibition in place in three districts of Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur.

The question was raised in the upper house when hooch tragedies in the state were discussed. The CM said the police had framed death charges in the Malvani incident which killed more than 100 people last month.

Sources said the state could not afford to ban licensed liquor sales because it would translate into huge revenue loss. The excise of alcohol sales in one of highest across the country. The successive governments have cited levying of steep taxes as a measure to reduce consumption of alcohol.