India, March 12 -- In a significant policy shift, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has announced in the state assembly that new beer and liquor shops in the commercial premises of housing societies will now require a mandatory no objection certificate (NOC) from the respective society.

This move aims to prevent disputes among residents, curb addiction among youth, and improve law and order, particularly in Pune where many such liquor shops are located within housing society premises.

Pawar on Tuesday also stated that if residents want an existing liquor shop in their municipal ward to be shut down, 75% of the total votes in the ward will determine the decision. His statement came in response to concerns raised by legislators Mahesh Land...