Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 4: The state government has given its nod for opening of all the wine shops and MRP outlets besides Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL) liquor shops from today. All the wine shops and MSIL sales counters made brisk preparations to handle the rush today.

The wine shops owners, who had brought pressure on the state government, are happy that they could get permission to sell liquor. Markings have been made in front of the wine shops to ensue social distancing. In a few places, iron grills have been installed to enforce proper queue.

In the meanwhile, excise officials are busy verifying the complaints about certain wine shop owners having opened the sealed locks of the shops without permission and replacing liquor with old stock. There were also allegations that some owners resorted to malpractice by complaining of theft. Barricades have been erected in front of certain shops. Liquor sale will end at 1 pm today.

The fact that bar and restaurants have not been permitted to sell liquor has come as a dampener for their spirits. Bar and restaurant owners have been expressing dismay at this development, which they say, has resulted tin heavy losses for them.