Taking Supreme Court's Cue, Maharashtra Government Allows Home Delivery Of Liquor From May 14

Exercising powers conferred under Section 139 (f)(n) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, the order dated May 11 was passed by the State government through Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary (Excise).

The sale and delivery can be done by the licensee only from within the area of the licensed premises and during the hour as specified by the government.

The order states that the licensee has to ensure that delivery boys use masks and also use hand sanitizers frequently.

In an order dated May 8, the Supreme Court had observed that States can consider selling liquor via Home Delivery and/or inculcate indirect sales during the lockdown period to facilitate social distancing.

It was widely reported that when liquor sale were allowed in different parts of Maharashtra between May 4 and May 7, alcohol worth Rs.150 crores was sold. The rush was such that police were unable to cope with the additional responsibility of manning the wine shops to control the crowds and wine shops were closed after four days.

States like West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh have already permitted home delivery of alcohol, others like Delhi have started an e-token system and charged a 70 per cent 'special corona fee'.