India, Aug. 9 -- The cash-strapped Maharashtra government has approved the manufacturing of grain-based liquor in the state for the first time, while also reviving closed and underutilised potable liquor licensee (PLL) units and allowing them to operate at full capacity. The state excise department issued an order to this effect on Thursday.

The state government has also introduced a new category of liquor, Maharashtra Made Liquor (MML), to go along with Indian Made Liquor (IML) and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). MML will be an exclusive brand of Maharashtra, with the government restricting its manufacturing to the state, according to the order.

With this move, the state expects to generate additional revenue of up to Rs.3,000 crore...