New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced extension of nationwide lockdown till May 3, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued consolidated guidelines in which it refused any relaxation to liquor manufacturing or its retail sales.
On Monday, Assam and Meghalaya had allowed opening of liquor shops for limited hours and under strict social distancing guidelines. However, following guidelines issued by the Centre, both the states withdrew the orders and wine shops down the shutters.
Opening of the liquor vends in the two northeastern states had drawn a large number of alcohol lovers to the wine shops. Maintaining social distance, people stood in serpentine queues to have their choice of liquor.
A strict ban has been enforced on the sale of liquor, gutka, tobacco etc. under the updated central guidelines.
"States/Union Territory cannot dilute restrictions imposed vide the aforesaid guidelines issued by MHA. States/UTs may, however, impose stricter measures than these guidelines as per requirement of local areas," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to all chief secretaries.
After meeting with all the Chief Ministers last Saturday to modulate country’s progress in containing the spread of coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had indicated that the lockdown will be extended – but there will be relaxations in certain areas to ensure the basic sustenance of India’s economy as well.
Liquor shops were expected to open as many chief ministers strongly pitched for it arguing that it is a major revenue generating way for the states, the sources said, adding restaurants and malls won't open.
The Delhi government was looking for some revival of the sagging by exploring the possibility of opening liquor shops in the city-state. It had also asked the excise department to submit a report to suggest measures on opening the liquor shops in a way that the lockdown restrictions were not affected.
Kerala was the first state, which despite the rising COVID-19 cases, had sought to ease alcohol availability during the lockdown. A decision to home-deliver alcohol prescribed by doctors, announced state’s Excise department, was later slammed by Kerala High Court and hence struck down, earlier in the April.