New Delhi: After almost a gap of 40 days, the liquor shops opened across the country as per the ‘relaxation clause’ in Lockdown 3.0, however at most places, people thronged the liquor shops, throwing social distancing into the wind.
In Delhi too, huge number of people queued up in large numbers at liquor shops violating the basic lockdown guidelines. In a few places, the queue was as long as almost 1 km, ANI reported.
#WATCH: More than a kilometre long queue seen outside a liquor shop at Desh Bandhu Gupta Road in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/LSOoZ3Zzd7
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020
However, many of these government-run liquor shops were shut soon after opening due to chaotic situation and people flouting rules. Govt-run liquor shops in Anand Parbat and Ranjeet Nagar didn’t even open while at many places, they were closed within hours of opening. At some places, even mild force was used by the police to disperse the unruly crowd.
Excise Commissioner’s letter to Police Commissioner raises eyebrows
Meanwhile, a letter written by Delhi Excise Commissioner Ravi Dhawan to Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastav has emerged where the former is seeking co-operation of local police in the opening of liquor shops/vends.
In the letter, Excise Commissioner writes, “According to govt-run corporations, local police is not allowing the shops to open as they have instructions to keep them closed.”
He further urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to direct the field functionaries to let open the liquor vends of 4 government corporations from 9 AM to 6.30 PM and also provide assistance in maintaining social distancing at these liquor shops.
150 out of 850 liquor shops in Delhi given approval
There are around 850 liquor shops in the city including those run by government agencies and private individuals.
However, only 4-government run liquor shops under the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited and Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Store were given permission to open liquor shops in public places.
Rs 5,000 revenue from liquor sale, alone
Delhi government earns revenue of Rs 5,000 crore from the sale of liquor. So, It’s contribution in government revenue is huge.
The surfacing of this letter gives rise to many speculations over the opening and closing of liquor shops in the capital. Question arises – social distancing went for a toss at umpteen liquor shops in the country but why only in Delhi, they were closed.
Today, the trader community also expressed their anguish over opening of liquor shops in the city, asking why normal traders aren’t allowed to do business when liquor can be sold.
