The Delhi government in a late night order on Monday announced a 70 per cent 'Special Corona Fee' would be imposed on top of the existing maximum retail price (MRP) of liquor from Tuesday, according to reports.
According to ANI, the 'Special Corona Fees' would be applicable from Tuesday.
The order comes the same day that liquor shops were opened in several cities across India, prompting depleted stocks in Bengaluru and crowds in front of bars in Mumbai, Delhi and many other cities.
The large crowds seen were in defiance of lockdown rules, which stated that only five people would be allowed inside a liquor shop at a time, and mandated social distancing in public. Though circles were drawn in front of bars, many defied social distancing norms, forcing authorities to shut several liquor stores in the national capital.
“Liquor stores and pan shops will be allowed to function in all zones while ensuring a minimum six feet distance (2 gaz ki doori) from each other and ensuring that not more than five persons are present at one time at the shop,” read the regulation by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
All 11 districts in Delhi have been declared red zones, with over 4,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 totally.
Taxes on liquor sales contribute a huge chunk of state revenues across India. The 41-day lockdown is expected to have left a huge dent in state finances, part of the reason why allowing liquor sales was part of the government's plan to relax lockdown regulations across India even as it extended the lockdown by another two weeks.
