Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/HB)

Mangaluru, May 5: The district administration had announced relaxations in lockdown provisions beginning from Monday May 4. Opening of liquor shops is one such move that has been gleefully lapped up by the customers. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district sold liquor costing about Rs 8.5 crore on the opening day. In some shops, liquor stock was exhausted.

Dakshina Kannada district accounted for sale of 65,751 litres of Indian made liquor and 43,583 litres of beer. The sales figure in the district touched seven crore rupees. District excise deputy commissioner Shylaja Kote, informed that 171 liquor shops were engaged in trading of which 149 were wine shops, while 22 were KSIL outlets.

Queue at an MSIL outlet in Mangaluru

Long lines were formed in front of liquor shops since early morning. People of all age groups including housewives, young women, aged men and students were seen in the lines. In front of all the shops, slots had been marked for the people to form queues by maintaining social distancing. A few overlooked social distancing and rule about wearing of masks. In a handful of cases, the police were compelled to use their batons.

In a number of shops in both the districts, liquor stock got exhausted by afternoon. It is said that those who were standing since morning bought heavy quantity of liquor and there was failure on the part of the franchisees to hold enough stock. Excise officials have said that stock would be replenished on Tuesday morning.

In Moodbidri, it was seen that some liquor lovers lured a few youth to stand in the queue and buy liquor for them as in a few shops, the limit of two bottles of liquor was fixed per person. At some places, people bought 90 ML sachets and sold them for higher prices. Several were seen trying to cover up their faces with masks, hands, and helmets to conceal their identities. People wearing helmets were seen making purchases at a few places including Olaplete in Sastan in Udupi district.

The government has given relief from certain lockdown rules beginning Monday May 4. The customers took full advantage of sale of liquor, which began in the state after a gap of about 41 days.

Rs 1.25 crore worth liquor sold in Udupi

The district administration had allowed sale of liquor from 9 am to 1 pm on Monday. During this short period, the district touched sales figure of 41,927 litres of liquor (4,850 boxes) and 15,872 litres of beer (2,035 boxes). As a whole, liquor valued at Rs 1.25 crore and beer costing Rs 25 lac was sold in just half a day, revealed district excise deputy commissioner Nagesh Kumar, speaking to Daijiworld.

As compared to the normal days, sale of liquor has been 50 percent less, as opposed to a 20 percent increase in liquor sale. The excise depot holds stock that would be sufficient for about 15 days. Liquor lovers were disappointed at the fact that stock of liquor at some places got exhausted before they could make purchases.

The district in total has 399 liquor shops (bars and restaurants) among which 89 liquor shops and 14 MSIL outlets were permitted to conduct sale of liquor. Excise deputy commissioner said that in case of shops which have exhausted their stock, the same would be replenished on Tuesday morning from the KSDSL depots at Udupi and Kundapur beginning at 7 am.

At all the bars in the district, people maintained social distance, used masks and gloves besides using sanitizers.

In the town, as the sale was only limited to four hours, tokens were issued to the people. In case of customers who could not get liquor by 1 pm, with the permission of the district deputy commissioner, sale was extended by an hour till 2 pm in a few select places.

Scorching sun failed to dampen the spirit of liquor lovers. Policemen looked after law and order situation near all the liquor outlets.