Rules flouted as liquor stores open after 10 days
GHAZIABAD/NOIDA: People made a beeline for liquor stores on Tuesday, when they opened for the first time since April 29 in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar following the imposition of a state-wide curfew to control Covid-19 spread.
Covid-19 health protocols such as social distancing and masks were openly flouted at several stores in Gautam Budh Nagar even as officials said there had not been any.
Uttar Pradesh allowed the stores to open between 10 am and 5 pm, which, officials said,may be truncated to between 2pm and 6pm. Excise from liquor sales are an important source of revenue for the state government.
Soon after the government made its announcement, social media was flooded with pictures and videos of people standing in line before stores.
“It is a daily requirement for many people and helps bring relaxation as well as it also generates revenue for the government. So, people like us are contributing to the revenue during the pandemic and we welcome the move for opening of shops,” said one of the customers at a shop in Ghaziabad’s Rajendra Nagar.
GB Nagar excise officer R B Singh said that the stores near the border with Delhi had a high turnout as liquor stores in the Capital remained shut due to a lockdown till May 17.
“No major issues were reported after the shops opened today. The situation was better this time. Last year, following the coronavirus-imposed lockdown, the liquor shops had reopened after months. But this year, it was only after 10 days of the curfew,” said Singh. “Our inspectors were on duty in these areas to monitor the situation.
We had police support... No problems or shortage were reported, and people followed Covid-19 protocols like wearing masks and maintaining social distance.”
But in Ghaziabad, officials acknowledged the situation could go out of hand and said they may ask store owners to reduce their timings. “Four hours is sufficient. It will help curb movement of people and crowds. Otherwise, people will roam around throughout the day and will tell police on duty that they are going to liquor shop for purchase. So, the timing will be 2pm to 6pm from Wednesday,” said an officer from the district administration who did not wish to be named, adding that there would not be a written order to this effect.
Traders unhappy
Meanwhile, the market associations did not support the government’s decision to open liquor shops.
“Grocery shops and essential services are opening only for a few hours in the morning, but liquor shops remain open for nine hours. There was absolutely no social distancing at these places today, and the queues were abnormally long. If they can open, other businesses should also be permitted to reopen,” said Sushil Kumar Jain, president, Sector 18 market association.
In an order on May 8, the Ghaziabad administration allowed grocery stores to open only from 7am to 11pm daily, while milk outlets are allowed from 7am to 10am and later from 4pm to 6pm daily.
Anurag Garg, the president of the Sihani-gate Vyapar Mandal recorded an audio message in which he threatened that they will ignore rules and open markets.
He later uploaded the message on social media.
“Traders across UP also provide revenue to the government. Why shouldn’t we open? After I released the message, the police picked me up and took to Sihani Gate police station where I was detained for about 90 minutes on Tuesday,” Garg said.
Ghaziabad police said that they deployed personnel to ensure law and order and also to ensure that Covid protocols were followed at liquor shops.
“The man (Garg) was called to the police station and told to give written representation to the district officials about his objection. We will not allow any escalation of law and order,” said Nipun Agarwal, superintendent of police (city 1).
“People require food and daily use items more than liquor. It gives substantial revenue, but traders also give huge amount as tax revenue to the government. So, if the liquor shops are allowed to open throughout the day, the markets should also open up as per arrangement decided by the administration, During the pandemic times, people need food and daily use items more than liquor” said Rajneesh Bansal, chairperson of the Turab Nagar Market Vyapar Mandal.
People need food more than liquor. We also give a lot to the government as tax. If liquor stores can be allowed to operate through the day, then markets too should be allowed to do so. RAJNEESH BANSAL, chairperson, Turab Nagar Market Vyapar Mandal