Spirits Still High Even As Liquor Prices In Delhi Shoots Up By 70% After Special Corona Fees
After going 'dry' for over 40 days, liquor shops in Delhi opened on Monday to the 'relief' of thousands, who had assembled outside the outlets hours in advance.But the happiness turned out to be a short-lived one after the prices shot up drastically.?
This after the Delhi Government imposed a 'Special Corona Fees' of 70% tax on Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of the liquor which came into effect from Tuesday across the national capital.?
This would mean that a bottle of liquor costing Rs 100 would now cost Rs 170.?
In an official order issued late on Monday night, the Finance Department has imposed the fee, applicable from Tuesday."70 per cent of the maximum retail price on all categories of liquor sold through retail licencees for consumption off the premises," the Finance Department order signed by the Deputy Secretary reads, describing the fee.
"It will be 70 per cent of the MRP. The new rates will be imposed from Tuesday morning," the government said in the statement.?
According to officials, the step will help in boosting the revenue, badly hit due to the COVID-19 lockdown.?
While it is a setback for many, the spirits were high even on Tuesday the first day with the revises prices.Many people supported the decision to hike the tax on liquor saying only those who can afford it are buying liquor and they are willing to support the government in the COVID-19 crisis by paying this tax.
"Whoever wants to buy liquor will definitely come to purchase. Those who can afford it will buy liquor no matter what. It doesn't make a difference that the government has increased the tax," said a woman, standing in the queue to buy liquor in Mayur Vihar.
Another man, standing in the queue, said that he is very happy that liquor is available after over 40 days. "We know that the government has increased the tax on liquor. We will drink once every week instead of every day. What else can we do," he said.?
Amit Kumar, the manager of a liquor shop in Mayur Vihar, said that they are following all the guidelines issued by the government for opening their store and distributing the liquor."While the government has increased the tax on liquor. It has had no impact on the number of people lining up outside the shops. People have been standing in queues since before the opening of the shops," Kumar said.?
"We are only giving two bottles per person maximum and also ensuring that social distancing is maintained by the people waiting for their turn outside the shop," he added.?
Meanwhile, the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Vasant Vihar on Tuesday issued show-cause notice to the manager of 'Government Wine and Beer Delhi Tourism Shop' in the area after a large number of people gathered there on Monday and violated social distancing norms.
