NAGPUR: In what could give tipplers a new high, the Maharashtra government is planning to bring a policy where liquor can be ordered home through online e-commerce platforms.Minister for state for excise Chandrashekhar Bawankule told TOI that the government was in the last stage of finalizing the policy that would prove to be game changer for the liquor industry. Maharashtra is likely to be the first state in the country to bring in such a policy.“The main objective is to reduce the growing cases of drunk driving due to which there have been many accidents resulting in loss of lives. The product would be delivered through platforms (which would operate on the lines of popular national and international e-commerce websites), just like citizens are getting groceries and vegetables at home,” the minister said.According to a recent WHO report, almost 1 lakh deaths occur in India which are directly related to alcohol abuse. According to National Crime Records Bureau’s report on accidental deaths and suicides in 2015 about 1.5% of all the total 4.64 lakh road accidents in the country were caused by drunk driving or driving under influence of drug or alcohol, resulting in injuries to 6,295 people.The report also states that more than 18 deaths occur due to drunk driving in the country every day. In 2016, the figure was 6,131 according to a report of the ministry of road transport and highways.To ensure that people buying liquor online would meet the required age criteria, Bawankule said they would direct sellers to take complete details of the customer, which would include Aadhaar numbers, through which their identity would be verified.“We would also check their drinking permit numbers. I am very positive about the project which has many advantages,” said Bawankule.The minister added that they were in the final stages of geo-tagging the liquor bottles to keep a track on their manufacturing and sale. “The tagging would be done on the cap of the bottle. We could track the bottle right from the manufacturer to the consumer. It would help in curbing cases of spurious liquor sale and also smuggling,” he said.Lauding the government’s move, noted high court lawyer Shreerang Bhandarkar said it would provide big respite to the busy individuals and save precious time.“Apart from reducing drunk driving cases, it would also generate employment for the youths who would deliver the product. Moreover, it would offer unlimited choice to the consumers and ensure that quality would be maintained,” he said.He pointed out that this trend prevails in western countries. “It was first started in Germany and others followed it. With this move, even the shop owners would be relieved as they often face complains from nearby residents. Even the consumer won’t need to wait to place his order,” he said.Activist Paromita Goswami, who led the fight to implement total prohibition in Chandrapur district , however termed the move as “unconstitutional” which would have several “adverse effects”.“Article 47 of the Constitution of India clearly prohibits selling of intoxicating drinks which may lead to injuries or death. The government should rethink on the move which may spell doom and increase liquor addiction in the state. It should instead repeal Maharashtra Prohibition Act and not engage in such hypocrisy,” she said.

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