The district collector of Pune, Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, has issued an order to prohibit the sale of liquor for three days during the Ganesh festival in the city. According to the official order, liquor sales at shops in the district will be prohibited on September 19 and 28. Additionally, liquor sales will also remain prohibited on September 29 and the 5th and 7th days of immersion on the procession routes within the Pune Municipal Corporation limits. This decision aims to uphold law and order during the festive season in the district, as stated by officials.
In Pune district, shops that are involved in the sale of liquor, including those with FL-2, FL-3, CL-3, FLBR-2, Form-E, Form-E-2, and T.D-1 permits, will remain closed in accordance with the district collector’s order under Rule 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. These closures will apply to all procession routes in the city and rural areas. The district administration has warned of strict actions against those who violate the order, emphasizing that such violations would result in penalties under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act of 1949 and the corresponding rules. The district collector stated in a press release that this directive is aimed at ensuring the peaceful observance of the Ganesh festival.
The Ganesh festival is celebrated on a grand scale in Pune, attracting a large crowd of visitors to the city. The festival’s procession lasts throughout the night on its final day, requiring the active presence of the police department and other agencies to maintain order during this period.
