Tipplers' response lukewarm, liquor sales low in Jharkhand

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SME Times News Bureau | 22 May, 2020
Contrary to serpentine queues seen outside liquor vends in different parts of the country after relaxation in the nationwide lockdown, tipplers have given a lukewarm response so far to resumed sale of liquor in Jharkhand.

Hardly any people are seen at liquor shops in Jharkhand, which reopened on Wednesday amid lockdown 4.0. In many states, liquor shops reopened with the commencement of the third phase of the nationwide lockdown on May 4.

"The sale of liquor is very low in Ranchi. We were expecting a situation like other states but it is just the opposite," rued Ramesh Singh, a liquor shop owner.

Echoing his views, another vend owner Mahesh Mahto said: "It seems that the two-month lockdown has badly affected the economic condition of people. We are selling lesser liquor compared with earlier normal days."

Officials said they expected that the liquor sale will gain momentum in the coming few days.

To generate more resources, the Jharkhand government had increased prices of liquor by imposing additional 25 per cent Value Added Tax on liquor in the state.

The state has made arrangements for liquor sale through shops, home delivery and e- token. The state has been divided in three categories for liquor sale -- nine cities, 15 towns, and rural areas.

The liquor is delivered at home through Swiggy and Zomato apps. The customers have to bear delivery charges and should be aged 21.