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
Yedi & Shoba Always to be in Media with no Reason. Why is Media promoting when BJP says Madrasa is giving rise to Terrorist. Media is blowing things out of propotion. What happend with Hemanth Karkere(HK)? Who Killed him? He was telling the news of actual terrorist in India. Hope everyone remembers what HK revealed. I dont support any of the party. But BJP did biggest blunder by doing demonitization. Just to make their money white. People please grow up. See the Petrol price HIKE happening. Why SHELL petrol does not have Subisidy? Why GST is not introduced in Petrol ? There are so many things to think about. These people play with law & order. See yeddy is so confident giving Dhamki to Police. Only god can Save us !!!
The common man of India is struggling for fulfilling his basic needs, he wants peace, he does not need leaders who divide society on caste and religious grounds and create chaos and hatred in the country.
Well said, Most of the BJP leaders are responsible to created violation.
Statistics show that more Indians have been killed by RSS than by Pakistani terrorists.
Who then is worse?
Is she a member of parliment or she a member of RSS, I havent seen any statement from shobha who has talked of development from her mouth. every time her statement is about RSS/sangh parivar, Does she deserve a MP seat? its better she owes her full time to RSS intead of being a MP. Shame on her she represents the whole constituency not only RSS AND SANGH PARIVAR TERRORISTS
what STRATERGY to DISTURB PEACE OF OUR NAMMA NADU KARNATAKA
Fact is a fact, why Amit shah is not in the group,who is the main culprit holding 14 muderes on his head
"BJP gay nachgayne Illa",
if they have little shame left all these leadres would have not come to street with head's down for their super leaders who committed the crimes,
Indirectly it shows that they confirms what Mr Siddaramaih says..!!!
"nanu BJP nanu RSS", not full
"nanu BJP nanu RSS nanu BrahminBaniaJumlaParty", better!!!
Hindus beware of Brahmin Domination in RSS, they dominated exploited non-brahmins for past 5000 years, dont let them control us!!!
All are equal in Democracy, RSS is a Rascist organisation, majority leaders are Brahmins! Dont forget!!!
Congis are ######s, they were responsible for 1984.
Bjp are ######s, they were responsible for 1992, 2002.
Indira made a political decision, bad decision BUt a political one.
Advani, Joshi, Uma bharati gave speeches in Ayodhya which started riots killing of 3000 people.
Both parties have blood on their hands.
Both need to be sacked and someone better needs to be brought in.
@Truth
Excellent question. The current vicious atmosphere is because of them
Who perpetrated 1984 anti-sikh riots? RSS?
Good decision. Please go and sit in jail.
Nanu shoba matthu yediyurappa naau bjp rss bajarang te ... r.. r ... t ect.....
Another comedy by Sho-bokka. Please try a good mimicry
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