Bengal liquor shop licensees against home delivery; shut shop in protest

Kolkata, May 7 () A day after the West Bengalgovernment allowed home delivery of liquor and launched awebsite for the purpose, licensees downed their shutters inmost areas of the state on Thursday in protest, saying it isnot possible for them to take alcoholic drinks to the doorstepof customers.

Only 10 per cent of the liquor shops of the state wereopen during the day in the designated green, orange and redzones, except in containment areas, West Bengal Foreign LiquorOFF, ON, CS Shops and Hotel Owners Association said.

"Sales have plummeted drastically because of this. Inthe first three days, liquor worth Rs 130 crore were sold,while today it was negligible," said Sushmita Mukherjee, theassistant secretary of the association.

Mukherjee said the licensees will continue to keeptheir shops closed till the government comes out with a clearpicture as it is not possible for them to deliver liquor athome.

For ensuring social distancing and minimizing footfallat retail outlets, the West Bengal State Beverages Corporationon Wednesday launched eRetail for online booking and homedelivery of liquor.

Before West Bengal, states such as Chhattisgarh andPunjab allowed home delivery of alcoholic drinks. dcNN NN