No alcohol below 25: Maharashtra govt

The Maharashtra Government on Wednesday raised the legal age for alcohol purchase and drinking from 21 to 25 years.

After a cabinet meeting, the state government announced that the minimum age for alcohol consumption and purchase has been fixed at 25 with immediate effect.

Offenders will be fined heavily, said officials.

Serving alcohol at all public functions and ceremonies has been banned too.

The government passed an order prohibiting liquor shops within a kilometre of educational and social institutions, government offices, religious places and highways.