Pune, Jan 30 (PTI) Noted balladeer Hemantraje Mavale, who was given a state award in recognition of his work for de-addiction, on Sunday said he will return the honour in protest against the Maharashtra government's decision to allow the sale of liquor at supermarkets and walk-in stores.

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Mavale was awarded the 'Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi Vyasanmukti Seva Purskar' in 2017-18.

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"I have been working on de-addiction for many years and was awarded by the state government for my work. We are creating awareness through folk art. But the state government's decision to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and shops is not welcomed," Mavale told reporters.

He said the state government's decision on the sale of wine in the garb of helping farmers will turn people into booze addicts.

"This decision will give easy access to wine to children and women who otherwise would have never visited wine shops," Mavale added.

He said the government is neglecting farmers from Vidarbha who are committing suicide.

"This decision of the state government is a contradiction. So today I put my award in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Pune and tomorrow I will return it after visiting the collector's office."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)