Tipplers Woes: Liquor Outlets Should be Opened up

• As the long winding lockdown measures across the country continue to saunter ahead, there are few essential services gradually being added onto the already exempted categories. However, liquor outlets are still not being considered for opening up for reasons best known to the authorities concerned. Concerted efforts were afoot since the beginning of the lockdown to somehow find a place to allow selling of liquor but to no avail.

PC: Mick Stephenson

• Make no mistake, excise revenue is not only one of the topmost money-spinner for the exchequer but also an indispensable source of income allowing the Government of the day to wriggle out of tight financial challenges many times. As many of the economic activities are reeling under the impact of complete lockdown, this one particular revenue-earning enterprise would have given the embattled authorities much-needed elbow room to manoeuver situation adroitly.
• We all are aware of any number of incidents reported from different regions of the country about addicted tipplers going berserk in the absence of a steady supply of bubbly. Reports suggest that in desperation, many addicted personnel indulged and succeeded in stealing liquor from sealed outlets. Disturbingly, those who failed to procure the same from dubious sources, especially through illicit/illegal sellers, sadly resorted to committing suicides as well.

PC: India Today

• Upon witnessing disturbing occurrences on the rise, a couple of State Government did make efforts at allowing liquor outlets to function albeit for few hours with an assurance to follow social distancing guidelines. The Central Government and the Honorable High Court of a particular state put dampener by striking down the proposal thereby dealing a mighty blow to the eager tipplers. And the wait still continues. This defies definite logic in my opinion.

PC: knn

• No questioning as regards allowing normal sale of essential consumable commodities like food products was absolutely necessitated to sustain lives. In the same vein, restricted hours allowing liquor outlets to function by observing all mandated guidelines too would have done no harm whatsoever. In hindsight, the situation would have been win-win for both the concerned parties i.e. Government as well as desperate consumers.
• Conclusively, the Government would have gone on to earn precious revenue copiously and the immensely gratified consumer would have raised the glass cheering the authorities with gay abandon. Better late than never, the Government should seriously consider allowing liquor outlets to sell without any further delay.