Liquor Shops May Open in Lockdown, Manufacturers & Govt. Suffering Losses Due to Illicit Trade

New Delhi : The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverages Companies (CIABC), an association of domestic liquor manufacturers, has urged the state governments to allow the sale of liquor. He says that the complete ban on sale of liquor during this lockdown is leading to sale of illegal and counterfeit liquor and on the other hand, the government exchequer is being affected.

The organization says that all wholesale and retail liquor shops have been closed since the nationwide lockdown. The CIABC said that to prevent coronavirus infection, it makes sense to close the bar in terms of social distance, but shops should be allowed to open.

The organization has written to the chief ministers of 10 states – Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. CIABC Director General Vinod Giri said in the letter that there are reports of illegal and spurious liquor being sold in the states. This not only threatens the health of the people but may also adversely affect the law and order situation.