New Delhi, May 28 (IANS): The Delhi Excise Department has allowed seven more private liquor shops in the city, in addition to 66 such shops functional from last week, an official said on Thursday.

Speaking to IANS, the Excise Department official said the shops were allowed after they gave an undertaking that "they do not fall under the containment zone".

On May 23, the Delhi Excise Department allowed opening of 66 private liquor shops on alternate days.

"The rules for the 66 shops are also applied for the additional seven shops," the official told IANS.

The shops, according to the Excise Department, can operate between 9 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on alternate days, irrespective of their shops having both odd and even numbers.

"They shall deposit 70 per cent Special Corona Fee on total sales daily, which will be deducted from their ledger account linked with their Vend-ID in ESCIMS. They should, therefore, maintain the requisite balance in their ledger account," the Excise Department said.

The Excise Department asked the shop owners to strictly comply with the National Directives for COVID-19 Management and to take all possible measures, including deployment of adequate number of guards, proper barricading and marking to ensure social distancing in coordination with Delhi Police and local administration.

"In case of any un-scanned sale, the MSR Gap generated shall be treated as the stock sold and 70 per cent Special Corona Fee shall be levied and payable on the same," it added.

It also said in case the shops allowed to operate come under the Containment Zone in future, the same shall be closed immediately.

From May 4, standalone liquor shops were allowed in the city, while from May 19, those in the market places were also allowed on alternate days.

On May 5, the government imposed the 'Special Corona Fee', which was 70 per cent of the MRP. Till May 25, the government has earned Rs 127 crore as the special corona fee.