Bengaluru, May 3: Erection of barricades and drawing up of boxes or circles aimed at maintaining social distancing were seen in front of liquor shops in different parts of Karnataka on Sunday, a day ahead of their reopening after a gap of over 40-days, due to the lockdown.
Karnataka Excise Commissioner on Saturday had ordered that only CL-2 (retail shops) and CL-11C (state-run retail shops like Mysore Sales International Limited) would open from May 4.
It had permitted liquor sale liquor between 9 am and 7 pm only in areas that are outside COVID-19 containment zones.
Reports of barricades being erected to ensure that people stand in line and drawing of boxes or circles in front of shops to maintain social distancing in front of retail and MSIL shops have emerged from across the state, including the state capital.
Also reports about shop keepers doing special poojas outside liquor shops in Kolar and some even illuminating their outlets with lights from outside have surfaced from other parts of the state.
Meanwhile, officials were engaged in checking stocks ahead of the shops opening on Monday morning.
"We are making all preparations to ensure that government rules are followed. We also seek the cooperation of the people and police," the manager of a shop said.
Another said there may be a rush initially, after which things may get back to normal.
"We expect things to go on smoothly," he added.
Calling for number of customers to be limited to five at a time while ensuring that they maintain social distancing of not less than six feet distance, the order states that customers and the staff will have to wear masks and sanitizers should be used at the shops.
Only stand alone CL-2 and CL-11C shops are allowed to commence liquor sale and not those at malls and super markets, it said.
Officials in Bengaluru said liquor sale is prohibited in 26 containment zones in the city, while in other places rules that have been prescribed need to be followed.
In case of any violation, strict action would be taken, including imposing of penalty, they said.
There was pressure on the government to kick start economic activities, including allowing sale of liquor, to boost the state's finances as excise is the key area which generates revenue.
State Excise Minister H Nagesh had recently pegged the losses at Rs 60 crore per day because of closure of liquor shops, due to the lockdown.
Comments
100 percent the EVM was tampered..
there is no doubt.
but no one can do anything as already the top notch officials and investigators are greased well by the central champion liars..
we await return of lord rama to keep the rakshas away
Good courageous initiative by Mr.Lobo & Mr. Bava. Where are other congress MLA’s hiding? May be be afraid of CBI raids.
Bava done evrything for suratkal people. He has given modern face to suratkal.
Bava done everything for him. Not for people. He may suits for film, not for politics. He's just a publiocity seeker
Mr bava and lobo.. you cant make fool people all the time. People knew they elected bad people only for this time. But comparing to you people they are better.
These fools thought that they can win easily even after they are doing nothing good to people.
Why these people blaming EVM.What you done to people, they returned.
If they won, no issue with EVM. shame on you.
If EVM are not verfied properly it will take big step in 2019 as wellknown Adithyanath told EVM means every vote for Modi,the silence of opposition will give big boost for EVM in feature.
Add new comment