RESTRICTIONS GONE: LIQUOR SHOPS TO REMAIN OPEN TILL 10PM

LUCKNOW: Liquor shops in the state would now open till 10 pm, an hour more than the 9 pm closure that was being followed so far.

An order issued from the office of the excise commissioner to all district excise officers asked them to ensure that liquor shops open from 10 am till 10 pm across the state.

However, restrictions on opening of shops in containment zones would continue as before, the order read.

The liquor lobby has welcomed the order.

“The order is a welcome one. Festival season is round the corner, the decision would help the liquor shop owners,” said Kanhaiya Lal Maurya, general secretary of Liquor Sellers Welfare Association.

Meanwhile, the excise department, along with the police, has registered 1050 fresh cases against those engaging in sale and manufacture of illicit liquor.

“Nearly 26,594 litres of liquor has been seized by the excise department and 394 persons involved in manufacture and sale of illicit liquor have been arrested,” said additional chief secretary, excise, Sanjay R Bhoosreddy.