MUMBAI, May 23 (NNN-PTI) – Mumbai allowed online delivery platforms to deliver liquor in sealed bottles from Friday night, as per the order issued by the city’s governing authority.
“Amendment in guidelines in respect of liquor shops selling liquor in sealed bottles be permitted to operate by selling liquor to customers by effecting delivery in view of Extension of lock-down and revised guidelines on the measures to be taken for containment of COVID-19,” the order by Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said.
The order comes even as India’s financial capital reported its highest single-day rise of 1,751 positive patients on Friday, crossed the grim mark of 27,000 cases, with 909 deaths reported so far.
“Under no circumstances over the counter sales of liquor can be permitted from such shops. The E-commerce platforms may be utilised by the liquor shops permitted to do home delivery,” said the order by BMC Commissioner, Iqbal Chahal.
Following the permission to open liquor outlets earlier this month had led to city residents overcrowding and ignoring social distancing norms forced BMC to withdraw the exemption to open these outlets.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region that includes adjacent towns, including Mumbai city, has almost 600 retail outlets, but the city being demarcated as red zone continues to be part of the stringent lock-down norms in the fourth phase till May 31.
Liquor contributes a considerable revenue the exchequers of all Indian states and Union Territories, except the two states of Gujarat in the western region and Bihar in the eastern region, where liquor sales are prohibited.
As per the official update, India, which now ranks 11th among all countries with over 118,000 confirmed cases, has 66,330 active cases of the virus with 3,583 deaths reported so far.– NNN-PTI
