50 women write to CM to prevent opening of liquor store

Navi Mumbai: A group of 50 homemakers from Enkay Heritage Cooperative Housing Society in Panvel have written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging him to prevent the opening of a liquor shop within their residential complex. The women argue that having a wine shop at the entrance of their society would invite crimes and create a menace in the area. Residents of the society have already expressed their concerns through a silent human chain protest last month and have also approached the concerned authorities.The general secretary of the society, Naresh Gaikwad, pointed out that the existing liquor shop is located right across the Sai Baba temple, which attracts numerous devotees, potentially leading to problems caused by intoxicated individuals. The housing society has requested the Chief Minister to instruct the Raigad district collector and excise departments to deny permission for the liquor shop in Enkay Heritage. A senior state excise department official confirmed receiving the complaints and has allowed the residents time for a hearing to present their justifiable explanation for opposing the liquor shop's operation in their locality.B N Kumar, convenor of Alert Citizens Committee (ACT), who also wrote to the CM, highlighted that many consumers tend to drink outside the shop after purchasing liquor, leading to groups gathering and making inappropriate comments towards women and girls. The presence of other shops in the complex, such as grocery and fruit stores, frequented by women, further exacerbates the issue.Advocate Jaysing Jagannath Shere, representing the society, stated that the shop violates regulations prohibiting liquor shops and bars within 150 meters of a temple or educational institution and 500 meters of a highway or its service lane. He cited a Supreme Court ruling to support his argument."Many people inthe area create trouble after consuming liquor from bars and shops in the neighbourhood," said a housewife from the society. "And we do not want this menace spreading to our compound," she said. This could create conflicts, said Kumar, who urged Shinde to nip the problem before it arises.When contacted, a senior state excise official said, "We have received their complaints and allowed them time for hearing. The residents have been asked to present their side with a justifiable explanation why the liquor shop should not be operated in that locality."