Liquor firms ask Maharashtra govt to allow home delivery, drop ban

Companies have asked the Maharashtra government to reconsider its ban on home delivery of liquor, claiming reversing a pandemic-time policy will cause job loss.

International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI), which represents the industry, has made representations to the state government. Maharashtra allowed home delivery of liquor during the coronavirus pandemic under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It withdrew the permission from June 3.

“Many retailers had put in investments to set up home delivery mechanisms like making an app, hiring staff to process orders etc. They also hired locals as delivery boys. Hundreds of jobs would also