[ad_1]
To avoid crowds at liquor stores, the Delhi government has started issuing electronic tokens, specifying the store and hours, for residents on a web link created by the excise department. Since Monday, when the government allowed the opening of around 172 liquor stores in the city after more than six weeks of closure, people have been crowding spaces outside the liquor stores, violating the rules of social distancing that are mandated to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The government has continued its deliberations on home delivery of liquor and a decision is likely to be made over the weekend, a senior official said. The chief secretary has already asked the excise commissioner to mark a plan “as soon as possible,” he said.
“In an attempt to ensure social distancing and stop overcrowding in liquor stores, the Delhi government on Thursday launched an electronic token service to buy liquor. The Delhi government made this decision to encourage people to avoid long lines by requesting an electronic slot token at any nearby store to buy liquor, “a government statement released on Thursday read.
The statement said: “Anyone can request an electronic token through the link” https://www.qtoken.in/. “The name and phone number will be required during the application and the electronic coupon will be sent to the number of Registered mobile phone. With that electronic token, the person will be able to buy liquor at nearby stores. This will be an additional facility to reduce overcrowding in liquor stores. “
The web link didn’t work until Thursday night. A senior official attributed it to “high traffic within a limited time after the announcement” and stated that it would be functional in a few hours.
While Thursday was a dry day in Delhi, liquor stores would also start issuing coupons for people waiting outside in queues, according to a government order, which also led the deployment of marshals, to ensure social distancing and use. of more barricades, for the administration area.
The additional 70% tax on the maximum retail price of liquor would continue in Delhi.
Municipalities on Thursday unveiled a list of 30 private liquor stores in the city that are not located in markets, shopping centers, retail spaces, and shopping complexes, and therefore qualify to relax under central government guidelines applicable to red zones. , a second official superior government said. “An order to implement relaxation for private stores is expected in one or two days. In the meantime, all government stores that were allowed to operate but were unable to operate for the past four days for a variety of reasons (understaffing, inadequate law enforcement stocks, and order issues) will resume as of Friday. Increasing the store’s overall strength to 200 would help reduce mass gatherings outside of stores to a great extent, “the official said.
Delhi has 864 liquor stores, of which 475 are owned by government departments, from tourism to industrial and infrastructure development. The other 389 are owned by individuals and companies.
“Only 50 (out of 172) could run a full day on average between Monday and Thursday. That’s one reason for the massive crowds outside most stores, “said the second-highest-ranking government official.
While most government stores operate with L-6 and L-8 licenses, which allow the sale of foreign liquors made in India and spirits in the country, respectively, most private stores have an L-10 license, which also allows the sale of imported liquors.
On Thursday, representatives of India’s Confederation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies wrote to Delhi Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking a review of the 70% special crown rates and urged that private stores not be opened. They are in containment areas and restaurants, bars, and pubs can sell their stocks without ending up by starting a “take-away” installation.
The Confederation also urged the government to allow home delivery of liquor. “Such an installation can reduce at least 15% -20% of the physical crowd of stores … A clear announcement of the special cessation imposition period would also help people plan their purchases and reduce crowds,” he said. Vinod Giri, CEO. of the Confederation
On Thursday, the Confederation met with Deputy Prime Minister Manish Sisodia and presented a memorandum.
.
[ad_2]
