Roads blocked, water supply to Dwarka, Rohini hit

NEW DELHI: The violent quota stir in Haryana reached the NCR on Friday with protesters snapping water supply to the Munak canal that feeds parts of Delhi, and road and rail blockades cutting off supply of essentials.

Jats blocked roads and major crossings in Gurgaon, causing jams and forcing schools to suspend their bus services and ask parents to collect their children.

The situation may worsen with Jats in western UP planning to join the stir.

With the Munak canal gates shut, Dwarka, Rohini and parts of west and east Delhi may experience water shortage on Saturday, though the Delhi Jal Board has asked Haryana authorities to resume supply at the earliest.

Delhi officials also fear a rise in prices of fruits, vegetables, milk and other items due to the blockades.

PATNA: Tipplers in Bihar are bracing for dry days ahead. The state on Thursday decided to sell only one bottle per day per person who will also have to sign on a register as proof of purchase from a government-run liquor retail shop.

The new system will come into effect from April 1, the date when the state starts implementing the much-hyped decision of imposing a total ban on sale and consumption of liquor in a phase-wise manner in the state. CM Nitish Kumar, who held a meeting of the excise department on Thursday, directed excise minister Abdul Jalil Mastan to work on the modalities to enforce the liquor ban.

“We have decided that shops will sell a single bottle to any individual and not more than that on a daily basis. Those purchasing liquor will have to sign on a register and will be monitored through a CCTV camera fixed in the retail shop,” Mastan said.

The new system is expected to give alcoholics or those making bulk purchases of liquor bottles for any event like marriage or party a tough time as the supply will be restricted.

However, many feel that the system will only increase smuggling and black marketing of liquor, mainly IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) in the state. “This is not a foolproof system and will only open more channels of IMFL brands at a premium. It will be difficult to organise events as people could be harassed by authorities,” said Rajeev Kumar, a professional.