Liquor prices jacked up 30% as people queue up at vends

CHANDIGARH: That city residents love their tipple was evident from the long queues outside liquor shops opening after 41 days as the administration eased Covid-19 restrictions from Monday. However, buyers complained of overbilling by as much as 30%, and said social distancing norms were not followed at some spots.

Apart from serpentine queues outside the vends, complaints of overbilling by vendors were received from some places. “I bought a two litre bottle of Blenders Pride. The price printed on the label was Rs 1,600 but the vendor charged me Rs 2,000 and said “take it or leave it” when I protested,” complained a man buying liquor at Sector 15 who did not want to be named.

A bottle of Sterling Reserve priced at Rs 350 was selling for Rs 450. Tuborg beer, priced at Rs 85, was being sold for Rs 150. With a pre-lockdown price of Rs 360, a Royal Stag bottle was going for Rs 500.

The sharp increase in prices, industry insiders said, was attributable to strong demand as only 40% of the total licensed liquor vends were operating.

On Sunday, the UT Administration had allowed shops selling non-essential items, including liquor, to open. Shopkeepers had to ensure that a maximum five persons were present at one time at the shop, with timings fixed from 10 am to 6 pm.

The administration had closed down the liquor shops after it imposed curfew in the city on March 24 for containing the spread of covid-19 in the city.

NOT ALL VENDS OPEN

RK Chaudhary, assistant commissioner, UT excise and taxation department said, “There are 75 licensed liquor vends in the city. Of these 60 will be functional during the lockdown restrictions. Fifteen vends located on sector dividing roads (Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg, etc) and containment zones are closed as per the administration’s orders. On Monday, 30 liquor vends were open, all even numbered shops,” he said, referring to the odd-even scheme in the city.

TEAMS TO MONITOR SALE, DISTANCING

Even as the department fixes only the minimum prices, the liquor vendors can fix prices above this minimum price, Chaudhary said, adding that department has asked the vendors not to overcharge buyers.

On Monday afternoon, UT excise department officials went into a huddle to address the complaints of overcharging and issues of social distancing norms not being adhered to. The police department also raised concerns to the excise department about crowd management.

On reports that vends at some places such as Manimajra and Sector 21 had to be closed because of the rush of buyers, Chaudhary said, “There were no untoward incidents, though there were minor hiccups, which were resolved.”

“We have formed teams under excise and taxation officers (ETO) who will monitor the sale of liquor. They will ensure that social distancing norms are followed,” added Chaudhary.

THE SHARP INCREASE IN PRICES ATTRIBUTED TO STRONG DEMAND AMID ONLY 40% OF THE TOTAL LICENSED LIQUOR VENDS OPERATING