Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday authorised Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to take decisions on amendments to the state's excise policy in light of the impact of COVID-19 and the prolonged lockdown.
At a meeting, all cabinet ministers agreed that the CM should to take any decision he deems fit to thrash out the concerns of the liquor licensees, a government statement said.
The issue of home delivery of liquor was also discussed but, amid apprehensions expressed by some ministers on allowing doorstep delivery, no final decision was taken, it said.
The CM is likely to decide on the issue in a couple of days, the statement said Liquor-vend owners have been seeking waiver in license fee and demanding collection of fee on the basis of actual liquor sales as against the fixed quota system, saying they are badly hit by the lockdown.
The excise and taxation department has already allowed the liquor vends to open during the time the curfew is relaxed. It has also given permission to liquor contractors for home delivery.