The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has decided to allow home delivery of liquor during the lockdown period in the state. According to sources in the Excise Directorate of West Bengal government, there is no prohibition on sale of liquor during the lockdown.

However, most liquor shops have remained shut due to the lockdown and will continue to remain shut, they say. Sources said only backend supply can be resumed via home delivery.

According to the excise department, the Kolkata Police will issue delivery passes to retailers through local police stations. Liquor shop owners will have to approach their respective local police stations for obtaining these passes. One shop can obtain only three delivery passes, sources say.

Customers will be allowed to place orders over phone at their nearest liquor shop between 11am and 2pm. After which the retailers can deliver the stock between 2pm and 5pm on that day.

Recently, the state government also relaxed norms for sweet shops and allowed them to operate for a limited hours.