Lockdown conditions apply
A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Liquor shops will open for the next six days -- starting from Monday -- across the State but on the condition that tipplers and wine shops owners will have to maintain strict hygiene besides observing the social distancing rules and also wear masks.
State's Excise Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that selected wine stores and bonded warehouses will open during 9 am to 4 pm from May 11 to May 16.
He, however, said that liquor stores located close to the international border; on narrow roads and lanes compromising the social distancing norms; and in areas with high transmission risk will not open.
"The sale of liquor shall not exceed three litres of foreign liquor or wine and four litres of beer, per customer," Bakshi said, adding that only one person per household is allowed to visit the wine store.
Last week when the government had allowed the re-opening of liquors shops on May 4, the government earned revenue of Rs 6 crore in a span of four days.
On May 8, the Meghalaya government hiked 25 per cent on the maximum retail price (MRP) for liquor to generate additional Excise revenue to the tune of Rs 120-130 crore approximately to meet the unexpected financial burden and expenditures arising out of the COVID-19 situation in the State.