Mumbai, June 1: You can vote at 18, marry at 18, drive at 18, all without breaking the law. But you can’t tipple at 18 — not if you live in Maharashtra, at least.

The Prithviraj Chavan government today raised the legal age for drinking and buying alcohol from 21 to 25 years and that for drinking and buying beer from 18 to 21 years, in a decision that has sparked a controversy and could raise the hackles of youngsters.

The consumption and purchase of wine have, however, been kept outside the purview of the restrictions. It was not clear if the restrictions on alcohol and beer were applicable inside the home too; officials said the matter was “vague” as of now.

The decision, approved by the state cabinet this afternoon, is part of a de-addiction policy initiated by NCP’s Shivajirao Moghe, the minister for social justice and de-addiction activities. It will be implemented after a notification is issued, Chavan said.

Other measures announced today include:

A ban on serving alcohol at public functions;

Restrictions on liquor shops within a 1km radius of educational and social institutions, government offices, religious places and highways;

A liquor shop or bar in a locality can be shut down if 25 per cent of the residents of a municipal ward so demand;

Fine on under-age drinkers.

Chavan said raising the age for drinking was a “contentious” issue that had been thoroughly debated by the cabinet. There had been unanimity that “habitual drinking” was detrimental to society and a “stress” on health, he said.

“We are not acting as moral police…. There are people who are better at that.”

Asked if the state was moving towards prohibition, he said: “No. That’s why we are calling it a de-addiction policy, not an alcohol ban. De-addiction will include everything.”

Liquor is prohibited in two districts in Maharashtra —Wardha and Gadchiroli.

The decision sparked angry reactions from youngsters as well as bar and liquor shop owners, who see it as yet another move to burden the liquor industry.

“It has just been a few of months since I crossed the legal drinking age. Now, again I won’t be allowed to drink outside. There seems to be no logic behind this sudden shift. Every time I try to do something legal, the government makes it illegal,” said Niraj Jani, who turned 21 this January and works with a film production house.

“One is allowed to marry at the age of 18. You get a driving licence at the same age, too. But the age to drink legally will be raised to 25? Shouldn’t the government be looking at raising the age for marriage than the age people consume liquor at?” asked ad content writer Prabha Hegde.

Aseem Latkar, 23, said the age restriction would not deter him as bars anyway served under-age drinkers. “I have been drinking for two years. The age raise seems abrupt, but I will continue to drink when I feel like.”

Terming the decision “unconstitutional”, Manjeet Singh Sethi, the president of the Fight for Right Bar Owners’ Association, said bar owners would move court and take to the streets if it was not rolled back.

“It is a ridiculous decision. If a person can marry and get voting rights at 18, should he wait till 25 to have a drink?”

Sethi also questioned how the age restrictions would be implemented. “How will they prove that someone is 25 years old or younger?”