Beer as water not our culture: Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Two days after Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray demanded shutting down of water supply to breweries in drought-hit Aurangabad in Marathwada region, the party on Monday asked for a “middle way” to be found in the issue, while also saying “drinking beer instead of water is not our culture”.

“There are 10 big industries in Marathwada that manufacture beer. A 20 per cent water cut has been imposed on them keeping in view the prevalent drought conditions. But these industries also need to be saved as lives of thousands of people depend on them. The government needs to find a middle way immediately,” the Sena said.

The party said the government needs to understand that at present, water should only be used to save human lives. “It is not in our culture to drink beer instead of water and people residing in drought-hit areas are not in a position to buy bottled drinking water,” it said.

“Some BJP ministers are of the view that beer manufacturing units should get uninterrupted supply of drinking water. But, people want that human lives should be saved first,” it added.

Responding to Mr Thackeray’s demand, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday had said that he had called for a report from the Aurangabad divisional commissioner on the sector-wise allocation of water to industrial companies and a decision on water supply would be taken after review. However, Pankaja Munde opposed the stopping of water to breweries.