Alcoholicservice Acting on the Centre’s directive to the nationwide lockdown, Karnataka government announced liquor stores to be closed from Monday till 31st March 2020, with the intention of clearing all liquor stores at regular intervals.
This came in response to the, drunken suicides in Kerala. Prominent film stars and politicians have spoken against the consumption of alcohol during this pandemic as it could lead to various other complications, which in turn burdens our already overworked medical staff. But the ban on liquor has been extended to 14th April as directed by the central government.
Liquor is ranked as part of the essential food list in the states of Kerala and Punjab. Since the Janta Curfew, the North Indian States have stocked up liquor at their central storage facility. Dispatches to various suppliers are made from this facility on a daily and monthly basis.
The South Indian States have not been able to replenish their central stock due to the sudden lockdown announcement by Prime Minister Modi. In most areas sale of liquor in the black market is rampant costing three times more that the normal MRP. Sources indicate that supply in the black market too has dried out.
This scenario opens another pandora’s box of complications. The government official in tandem with therapist, psychologists and counsellors are closely monitoring the effects on the liquor ban on regular consumers.
By Arun Parasad
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