The Maharashtra government has permitted excise-licensed food and beverage establishments, including bars, to operate until 5 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. This decision follows a request from the Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI) to extend operating hours for these festive dates. Previously, a state circular allowed general hotels and restaurants to operate 24 hours but excluded establishments serving liquor. HRAWI welcomed the move, citing benefits for crowd management, tourism, and employment.