Bootleggers calling shots in Palampur

Ravinder Sood

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Palampur, May 18

Since the lockdown was imposed in the state, Palampur and its adjoining areas have seen a sudden spurt in the illegal sale of liquor.

While small traders are feeling the Covid heat due to losses in business, liquor suppliers are calling the shots because of its high demand.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that since liquor vends have remained closed for the past 10 days, liquor is being smuggled into the state from Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana. Villagers seized a large quantity of liquor from Khera village, 20 km from here, yesterday.

The government decision to ban liquor sale till May 26 has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the mafia. A liquor bottle that was usually sold for Rs 90 before the lockdown is being sold for Rs 200 now. In many areas, liquor is also being provided on the doorsteps. A consumer admitted that he got a bottle paying double the price.

Many consumers said the government should open liquor shops for an hour to save people from being fleeced. It would protect the state’s revenue.

Onkar Rana, a wine contractor, said the government should open liquor shops for a few hours, maintaining social distancing, so that the smuggling of liquor could be checked.

He said that they had been passing through a crisis and most of the contractors had already exhausted their capital in the past one year. Therefore, the government should consider opening shops.