Delhi government launches e-token system for liquor purchase

New Delhi, May 7

The Delhi government, on Thursday, started an e-token system under which the customers would be given a specific time for purchasing liquor in the wake of violations of social-distancing norms by people outside liquor vends.

According to an official statement, the government released a link — www.qtoken.in — where people will be designated specific time for purchasing liquor after they fill personal details.

The e-tokens would be sent on the mobile phones of the registered persons, it said.

The Delhi government had allowed the opening of 200 liquor shops run by civic bodies, but only 50 were opened due to overcrowding, the statement said.

The e-token will help to maintain social distancing and cut down on waiting time in long queues by specifying the time for each e-coupon holder to buy liquor at a shop.

The people will require to furnish the address of the liquor shop in their area, along with their mobile number and other details while applying for e-token on the web link.

The Delhi government allowed the sale of liquor from Monday. On Tuesday, the rates of liquor were raised by 70 per cent of the maximum retail price. Still, large crowds gathered at the shops, violating social-distancing norms amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Central Government had allowed some relaxations in the third phase of the lockdown, including the sale of liquor under certain conditions.

Violations of social distancing were reported and the Excise Department directed the four corporations dealing in retailing of liquor to take measures such as e-tokens, barricading and deployment of marshals to ensure that such norms were followed at the shops. PTI