Allowing liquor shops to reopen in Maha inappropriate: Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare on

Thursday criticised the Maharashtra government for allowing liquor shops to re-open during the lockdown, and called the decision as "insensible and inappropriate".

He said that curbing the spread of coronavirus and saving lives was more important than earning revenue through the sale of liquor at this critical juncture.

Sale of liquor was allowed in parts of the state as the lockdown to contain coronavirus entered its third phase on Monday.

In a statement, Hazare said, "Day by day, the COVID-19 infection is increasing in the country and unfortunately Maharashtra is topping the list. It has been noticed that due to lockdown, it was possible to contain the spread of the virus to some extent."

When the country has limited medical resources, lockdown is the only option to contain the spread, he said.

"People should not be allowed to go out except for buying essential things. However, the state government allowed the liquor shops to remain open ..