VENDS OPEN BUT NO TAKERS IN MOHALI

MOHALI: Even as opening of liquor vends in Chandigarh and other parts of the country from May 4 made news, with long queues and even clashes with police reported outside such outlets, Mohali vends opening after six weeks on Thursday remained deserted.

Liquor contractors blamed the UT administration for this, saying people had already smuggled liquor from Chandigarh into Mohali in the absence of checks at borders.

About 140 liquor vends in the district remained open from 7am to 3pm, but none reported major sales, unlike Chandigarh.

“We have already suffered a huge loss (because of the lockdown) and now blame Chandigarh authorities for opening the vends earlier on May 4 and collecting around Rs 20 crore a day,” said JP Singh, general manager of the Turtle Group.