Maharashtra Excise Chief Debunks Dry Day Policy Change for Holi, Muharram

• Maharashtra Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh dismissed reports of dry day policy changes for Holi, Muharram, and Gandhi Jayanti as "fake news."
• Deshmukh asserted that the existing liquor policy remains unchanged, with eight mandatory dry days under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
• The clarification addresses social media reports claiming the ban on liquor sales on these days had been revoked.
• Existing rules prohibit liquor sales on January 26, January 30, May 1, Ashadhi Ekadashi, August 15, Anant Chaturdashi, October 2, and Kartiki Ekadashi.
• District collectors retain the power to declare additional dry days under section 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.