K'taka permits bars, restaurants to clear liquor stock

Bengaluru, May 8 (): The Karnataka government onFriday allowed clubs, bars and restaurants to sell liquor astakeaway at the maximum retail price till May 17 to cleartheir existing stock.

Similar permissions have been given to Metro Cash andCarry to sell liquor till May 17.

Also, wine boutiques can sell their stock, but thereis no last date set for them.

According to an order from the state Excisedepartment, the permission is applicable to standalone CL-4(clubs), CL-7 (hotels and lodges) and CL-9 (bar) licence-holders, only till their stocks last; also takeaway of foodhas been permitted. Conditions that have been laid down by the governmentinclude only sale of sealed bottles, maintaining socialdistancing during the sale and wearing of masks. Transporting liquor stocks to CL-2 (MRP) outlets isallowed, the order said adding that permission is notapplicable to outlets in containment zones. The order also clarifies that procurement of fresh liquorstocks from the Karnataka State Beverage Corporation Ltd(KSBCL) depots by clubs, bars and restaurants during theperiod is not allowed. The permission for the sale between 9 am and 7 pm wasgiven following petitions by certain associations of bars andhotels raising concerns that their stock would have to bedestroyed if drinks such as beer which has a shelf life ofsix months are not sold. In a separate order, the department allowed Metro Cashand Carry to sell liquor till May 17, with similar conditionsof timing, social distancing, wearing of masks among others. They too can't operate in containment zones announced bythe government. A similar order has been issued permitting standalonewine boutiques to sell wines, with similar conditions, but nolast date has been set. The government had earlier allowed CL-2 (retail shops) andCL-11C (state-run retail shops such as MSIL) to sell liquorbetween 9 am and 7 pm only in areas that are outside COVID-19containment zones from May 4. KSUNVG NVG