Liquor sales that began in lockdown three destroyed all old records in one day. According to an estimate, liquor sales of about Rs 300 crore were sold in the state. In the capital, Lucknow, liquor worth eight crore rupees was sold, while a dozen districts remained where liquor was sold at or near five crore rupees.
Long queues started at the liquor shops even before the shop opened in the morning. The whole carat was buying liquor. A shortage of stock started happening in some shops by evening. However, before this, the government fixed the limit to put a brake on sales.
But by then a large number of different categories of liquor had been sold. Principal Secretary Excise Sanjay R. Bhusreddy and Excise Commissioner P. Guru Prasad came out to take stock of the sale of liquor and whether the rules were being followed.
He directed the sale of liquor with adherence to social distancing. Considering the long queues at the shops and the high volume of purchases, the department decided that a maximum of 750 mL liquor would be given per person at a time. One bottle, two half, three powwows, two bottles of 375 ml beer or three cans can be purchased at a time.
Excise Commissioner P Guru Prasad said that after a long time, since the opening of shops, there was bumper shopping since morning. The limit was fixed to ensure that the stock does not fall short. It could be implemented later in the afternoon. By then people had gone home after buying liquor in large quantities. Principal Secretary informed that this limit will continue for the next two days.
Social distancing was not followed in many places
At the same time, social distancing could not be followed due to the huge crowd at liquor shops in many places. Principal Secretary Abkari said that strict instructions were given that social distancing should be followed.
People should not be allowed to line up without masks or without face covers. This will have to be ensured further. He said that no untoward incident was reported anywhere in UP. The Excise Department and the Police Department had prepared this beforehand. Inspectors of sugar mills were also put on duty.
Revenue above 125 crore
At the same time, sources say that the state government made a record of the highest revenue in a day from the Excise Department due to the bumper sale of liquor. On Monday, the revenue of the state government is estimated to be about Rs 1.5 crore.
Rajasthan Tourism App - Welcomes to the land of Sun, Sand and adventures