A liquor shop worker (L) wearing gloves gives bottles of alcohol to a customer through the shutters of the shop after the government eased a nationwide lockdown
"The Chhattisgarh government on Sunday allowed the home delivery of liquor through online orders amidst the lockdown. The state commercial taxes department permitted the excise commissioner on Saturday to allow the home delivery of liquor between 9 AM and 8 PM.
"To curb illegal manufacturing, sale, transportation and possession of liquor during the lockdown period, permission has been granted for its home delivery through online orders from Monday," an official from the excise department said.
The Chattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) will decide which shops will provide the home delivery service. The customers would have to make payment in advance. However, the district administration can change the timings as per the local situation.
People can book orders of up to 5L of liquor at a time on the CSMCL website or app. Rs 100 will be charged for the home delivery service, available within 15km of the shop.
However, the decision has drawn flak from the opposition BJP who allege that the ruling Congress-led government's priority is providing people liquor over medical facilities.