October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, is the country’s longest dry day. According to excise regulations, liquor shops are not permitted to open even in the evening. However, various contractors in the city openly opened their shops and sold liquor in large quantities without any fear. The excise officials’ tall claims proved futile, and the rules were blatantly flouted.
Many people even asked if there was any special exemption for opening shops due to Dussehra. But there was no such exemption. Despite this, shops opened and no effort was spared to flout the rules. In many places, liquor was seen half-closed, but liquor continued to be sold. Similarly, liquor was sold from window-sills in various areas. Where liquor was being sold from the window-sills, prices were being charged higher than the regular rates. Liquor shops were seen open at various locations in the city, including Jyoti Chowk, the main road leading to Nakodar Chowk, near Lal Ratna Cinema, Patel Chowk area, Workshop Chowk, Bhargava Camp, and Bastiyat area.
None of the liquor vendors appeared to be afraid of the department. The lighting at the shops was fully visible, and the signs outside were working. This suggested that the contractors were unconcerned with departmental regulations. A contract employee, requesting anonymity, said that today is Dussehra, and liquor sales are three times higher than on regular days, forcing the liquor shops to reopen. Another employee added that liquor shops were closed until 10 a.m., but after 11 a.m., when liquor shops opened in one area, others in the opposite direction followed suit. Shops were open even in places where police checkpoints were located nearby. Experts say that contracts were open at various locations throughout the city, and senior police and administrative officials may have passed by, yet the contractors showed no sign of fear.
Departmental action is a drop in the ocean
Meanwhile, departmental officials visited several locations to close contracts and are reportedly issuing challans, etc., as per the rules. The situation is such that the number of contracts open in the city and the department’s action taken prove the saying “drop in the ocean.” Contracts were seen open at various locations until late at night.
