Overview
- State officials announced the relaxation on December 24 for excise‑licensed bars in hotels and restaurants across Maharashtra.
- The permission applies only to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, extending closing time to 5 a.m. on those nights.
- An October 1 circular had allowed hotels and restaurants to operate round the clock but left out liquor‑serving establishments, prompting industry pushback.
- The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India had petitioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the extension and welcomed the decision, citing safer crowd management, jobs and tourism benefits.
- Separately in Delhi, a notified excise rule change now allows churches to procure and store up to 4,000 litres of duty‑free sacramental wine annually with approval from the Excise Commissioner.