On Saturday, the Odisha govt allowed home deliveries of liquor. After introducing a 50% “COVID Fee” on all foreign liquor and beer, the government has permitted sales of liquor.
An officer said the existing ON and OFF shop licenses in areas other than containment zones and malls, can make home-deliveries. The system of deliveries will function from Sunday, following amendments of provisions under the Odisha Excise Rules, 2017.
However, no excise license holder can see liquor across the counter or within their premises. Liquor stores across the state have not opened shop since March, following the COVID-19 lockdown.
The additional “COVID Fee” is applicable on MRPs of the 2019-20 fiscal. All revenue generated from the fee will go towards balancing expenses incurred by the Odisha government. The expenses include the cost of treatment of COVID-19 patients and any other related activities.
With reference to the functioning of the delivery system, the Odisha government said it could be done directly through retailers, through reputed food distributors, standard tech platforms, delivery service providers or others acting as retail distributors.
Retailers may involve distributors only after they obtain No Objection Certificates from the Excise Commissioner.
The timings for liquor home deliveries are between 7am-6pm. Delivery personnel must adhere to safety and health guidelines like social distancing, wearing masks and using sanitisers.