Bengaluru:As liquor sales resumed across the country following the relaxation of lockdown guidelines in all areas except the containment zones, the demand has surged even amidst hiked prices. Booze lovers ushered in the resumption in liquor sales in a spirited fashion in Karnataka, with this liquor outlet recording a sale worth Rs 4.1 crore in the opening day.
According to reports, the showroom or the outlet which is the largest in Asia reported bumper sales in a single day. The Excise Department had later said that 3.9 lakh litres of beer and 8.5 lakh litres of India Made Liquor (IML) was sold on a single day across the state worth Rs 45 crore.
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The outlet named 'TONIQUE', situated near Cubbon park region, has resumed operations after over a month following the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Though the 6 per cent hike in Additional Excise Duty proposed in the state budget for this fiscal (2020-21) was to be effective since April 1, the state Excise Department could not enforce it, as old stocks remained unsold due to the lockdown since March 25.
The stand alone outlet sells over 750 variety of foreign brands and the consumers are queuing up to stock up the liquor. About 4,500 standalone liquor outlets (CL-2 and CL-11 licence holders), which comprise wine stores and those owned by state-run Mysore Sales International Limited, outside containment zones were allowed to be opened from Monday from 9 am to 7 pm with some restrictions.
These include customers compulsorily wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing with not more than five persons inside liquor shops.
To maintain law and order, authorities had deployed policemen in good numbers at these stores and they were seen on duty ensuring that customers maintained social distancing.
(With inputs from agencies)
