Home delivery of liquor a non-starter in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: A day after government introduced home delivery of liquor, not a single delivery of liquor was witnessed across the state with liquor shop owners getting reluctant to facilitate delivery.
The owners didn’t even put on display their phone and whatsapp numbers in front of their shops and tied up with the food aggregators Zomato and Swiggy, which have been given permission by the government.
Although the shops remained closed, people were seen loitering outside the shops to obtain information regarding home delivery. After waiting for hours, they didn’t get any clue and had to return disappointed. “We waited for long hours outside the shops. We also tried to find out from the owners as to how to place orders but mobile numbers of almost all the owners were found switched off. It is very disappointing. I think there is no clarity yet on how to dispense liquor,” said a customer.
The government on Saturday had said that one can place an order, over phone, through SMS, whatsapp, email or through online platforms and the delivery would be made in six hours. The government notified that 50 per cent Covid-19 cess will be charged on the MPR of each bottle.
Debashis Behera, a shop owner said they are clueless about how to tie up with the food aggregators. “Even if we tie up, we apprehend that there buyers may play mischief by receiving the order and not making payment. It is such an item that there is risk to the suppliers as well,” said Behera.
Biranchi Sahoo, secretary, Cuttack District Liquor Shop Owners Association said they are not opposed to home delivery but they should be allowed counter sale also. “We need to meet the monthly quota every month. How can a shop owner meet the quotas by just selling through a home delivery platform only,” said Sahu.
Social activist Biswajit Mohanty twitter, “Mobiles of licensees switched off. Many claim to be on strike”.
Officials in the excise department said they were aware of the development but were hopeful that home delivery will be successful in the time to come. “It is a new concept and it will take time. We have given permission to the food aggregators. The retail outlets will also come to terms with the home delivery arrangement,” said a senior excise department officer.
A functionary from the Zomato said they are in the process of tying up with the retailers. “We are working out as to how to make the supply hassle free,” he said.