NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s nod to open state-run liquor shops from Monday saw people lining up in large numbers outside outlets, with police personnel struggling to manage the crowd.
A shop had to be closed in Mayur Vihar in east Delhi as people failed to maintain social distancing.
According to an official, about 150 government-run liquor shops have been allowed to open from 9 am to 6.30 pm in accordance with the latest lockdown relaxations given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
On Monday, liquor shops opened in the National Capital after 42 days. The shops were closed due to lockdown restrictions imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
In several areas like Burari, Mayur Vihar, Gandhi Vihar, Rohini and Janakpuri, a large number of people had lined up outside outlets.
Police personnel were seen trying to manage the crowd outside many outlets where more than five people are not allowed at a given time.
The government has directed four state-run agencies, which are responsible to sell liquor, to deploy adequate marshals at these shops.
There are around 850 liquor shops in the city, including those run by government agencies and private individuals.
In an order on Sunday night, the excise department also directed officials to identify liquor shops, which are being run by private individuals (L-7 licensee) and fulfil conditions laid down by the MHA.
The officials have been asked them to submit a report within three days.
The government has so far allowed only those liquor shops (L-6 and L-8) to operate which are being run by four state-run agencies responsible for liquor sale in the national capital.
“All liquor shops in malls and markets will remain closed. The government-run shops allowed will operate from 9 am to 6.30 pm.
“The four agencies will deploy marshals to ensure that not more than 5 people are present at one time at the shop,” the official said.
The department has asked agencies to coordinate with the local administration and police to maintain law and order.
According to the order, bonded warehouses have also been allowed to resume operation from 7 am to 6.30 pm.
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited and the Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Store have been given the permission to open liquor shops in public places, except malls and market complexes.
The agencies will have to give an undertaking stating that liquor shops being allowed to open will fulfil all MHA guidelines, according to the excise department.
Social distancing norms go for a toss in UP
Long queues were seen outside liquor shops across Uttar Pradesh since Monday morning as people lined up to purchase liquor.
Liquor shops opened on Monday after a 40-day lockdown and people were seen buying multiple bottles.
The queues were seen from as early as 7 a.m. in some parts of the state capital, and in some areas, social distancing norms were thrown to the wind.
Some liquor outlets made circles outside the shops to ensure social distancing.
Liquor shops located in the hotspot zones, however, remained shut.
Excise Commissioner Sanjay Bhoosreddy inspected a model shop in Mahanagar area to see if the safety protocols were being followed.
Chaos at liquor shops in Andhra
Long queues were seen at retail liquor outlets at many places across the state of Andhra Pradesh, while police had a tough time in controlling the crowd and ensuring social distancing norms.
The customers lined up outside the shops long before they opened at 11 am on Monday.
Serpentine queues were seen at liquor shops in Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Anantapur and other districts.
At many places, buyers flouted social distancing norms.
The state government, which runs the retail liquor business, has increased the prices by 25 per cent. However, this has failed to deter the tipplers, who turned out in large numbers at almost every shop.
There was chaos at shops as the increased prices were not updated online, resulting in delay in sale transactions.
Booze lovers throng liquor shops in Karnataka
Booze lovers ushered in the resumption of liquor sales in a spirited fashion in Karnataka on Monday, thronging stores hours before shutters went up at several places.
At some places, people flocked liquor shops even before day-break and performed “special prayers” with flowers, coconuts, incense sticks, camphor and crackers in front of the stores.
At the taluk headquarters town of Brahmavara in the coastal Udupidistrict, the queue of the booze lovers was reported to be almost half a kilometre.
To maintain law and order, authorities had deployed policemen in good numbers at stores and they were seen on duty ensuring that customers maintained social distancing.
Bengal allows standalone liquor shops to reopen
The West Bengal government allowed standalone liquor shops to reopen from Monday in green, orange and red zones, but not in containment areas.
The guideline issued by the government in this regard said only ‘OFF’ category shops selling foreign, IMFL, and country spirits will remain functional and not ‘ON’ shops.
The government also disallowed outlets located in shopping complexes to reopen. Beer pubs, clubs, restaurant- cum-bars and hotel-restaurant-cum-bars will remain closed.
Initially, the government guideline allowed shops to stay open from 10 am till 6 pm, but later the timing was changed from 3 pm to 6 pm.
It also stated that only those customers wearing masks will be given liquor and social distancing norm has to be strictly followed. There should be a distance of 6 feet between two customers in the queue.