GUWAHATI, April 12 - The State government has allowed the liquor shops in the State to reopen from Monday.
According to an order issued by the Additional Commissioner of the State Excise department, all wine shops will remain open from 10 am to 5 pm. Meanwhile, the department asked the owners of the wine shops, wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries to ensure that the customers maintain social distancing.
�Though we have issued the order, it will be the discretion of the DCs. The order may be withdrawn in case there is any incident or violation of guidelines,� official sources said.
The decision was taken considering various factors, one being the increasing consumption of illicit country liquor which could be hazardous to health. Moreover, there were also reports of black marketing of liquor.
Also, Meghalaya has ordered opening of wine shops from tomorrow and the State government fears uncontrolled movement of people across the inter-State borders to buy liquor from the shops in the neighbouring State. The wholesale warehouses and distilleries will work with minimum staff, the notification said. For transportation of liquor, vehicles will have to obtain passes from the DCs.
