MUMBAI: You will soon be able to walk into a supermarket and walk out with a bottle of wine. The Maharashtra government has finally given the go-ahead to retailers to sell wine, a move that is expected to provide amajor boost to the fledgling retail industry.

Confirming the news, a government source said a formal notification to this effect was issued by the state excise department last week. Retailers have for long clamoured for wine to be treated as different from other alcoholic beverages due to its comparatively lower alcohol content and health benefits, if consumed in moderation.

In fact,NCP chief andUnion agriculture minister Sharad Pawar recently created a stir when he argued in favour of wine being sold alongside soft drinks and other food products.

According to sources, the state government has extended existing legislation to enable supermarkets andmodern format retailers to sell wine. The legislation— E2 licence—allows retail outlets to sell beer if they have the requisite beer permit.

Source: Times News Network for more details.