Green, Orange zones likely to witness sale of liquor

Kolkata: After getting guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bengal government is likely to finally allow the sale of liquor in Green and Orange zones from Monday onwards following all lockdown norms.

The state government is taking all measures to ensure that the sale of liquor does not take place in any of the Red zones and strict action will be taken if anyone is caught doing so. At present, there are eight Green zones and 11 Orange zones in the state. Restrictions will be imposed if any of these areas turn into a Red zone.

According to a senior official, no one will be allowed to consume liquor by gathering at one place. One has to buy it from a shop and leave the area immediately to avoid a crowd. At the same time, one has to stand in a queue to buy a bottle of liquor maintaining a distance of six feet and it also has to be ensured that five persons at a time visit the shop.

At present, there are around 5,000 license holders in the state. An order will be issued in this connection giving details stating who all are eligible to sale liquor.

Interestingly, one has to pay a little more while buying liquor once the shops open as the state government has imposed 30 per cent sales tax on the same. Sources said with the restriction in the sale of liquor, a revenue loss of around Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,200 crore has taken place.