Lockdown in Odisha: Home delivery of liquor to be allowed?

Bhubaneswar: In view of long queue and last-minute rush to avail liquors yesterday before imposition of lockdown across Odisha, the State Government is considering to provide liquor to consumers at their doorsteps.

In this regard, the Excise Department of Odisha Government has written to the Special Chief Commissioner seeking permission for Home delivery of liquor.

As Odisha is under the lockdown for a period of 14 days in second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Excise Department is mulling over home delivery services of liquor during the period.

“Based on past experience, it is to point out that in case genuine liquor is not made available to the consumers during lockdown period, they may resort to illegal and informal channels which will be harmful to their health and safety,” Excise Principal Secretary SK Lohani wrote.

Considering the huge demand for liquor, the Government had permitted home delivery of liquor by food aggregators/delivery service providers/technology platforms as well as by liquor licensees themselves last year.

In order to maintain the supply chain, all the Beverage Corporation godowns also need to remain operational with all the COVID related protocols. In addition, vehicles belonging to authorised agencies carrying genuine duty paid liquor be allowed free movement during the lockdown period.

Following is proposed to be permitted during lockdown period:

1. Home delivery of liquor (IMFL/Beer) by duly authorised food aggregators/technology platforms/delivery service providers as well as by IMFL Off/ON shop licensees following the extant guidelines of Excise Department dated May 23, 2020.
2. Home delivery of liquor (CL/OS) by CL/OS licensees following the extant guidelines of Excise Department dates June 29, 2020.
3. Operation of all the godowns of Beverage Corporation for wholesale trade between 6.00 AM and 2.00 PM.
4. Free movement of vehicles belonging to authorised agencies carrying genuine duty paid liquor.

The state-wide lockdown has been enforced with effect from today till May 19 in Odisha.