Crucial Telangana Cabinet meeting to decide on easing lockdown on May 5

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, May 4

After some northern states, including national capital New Delhi, opened after 40 days of lockdown, the Telangana Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to decide if the state wants to open up like Chandigarh or New Delhi.

The exit plan is expected to have stringent regulations like constant wearing of mask and maintaining social distance, etc.

The Hyderabad Police on Monday released nearly 35,000 vehicles that were confiscated for violation of lockdown norms during the past 40 days.

This is being taken as an indication that the state may follow other regions in putting an exit plan in place.

“The Cabinet will discuss some of the relaxations announced by the Centre from May 4. As the Centre had earlier announced the lockdown would continue till May 17, the Cabinet will discuss the new guidelines and relaxations,” an official said even though Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) is personally believed to be in favour of extending the lockdown to keep pressure off the healthcare system.

With dipping revenue, the Cabinet is expected to take a decision and work out a formula for opening of the liquor vends.

Standalone wine shops may be opened from May 8. As per the guidelines issued by the Centre, sale of liquor in standalone shops will be allowed with certain conditions in all zones—green, orange and red—barring containment areas.

On Sunday, the chief minister reviewed the arrangements in the state with senior officers and discussed the prevailing situation in districts.

Given the chaotic scene witnessed in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh over opening of liquor vends, the Telangana Government is working out a way to avoid violation of the social distancing norms by people wanting to buy liquor.

In Andhra Pradesh, long queues were seen today at retail liquor outlets at many places with the police finding it hard to control crowds and ensuring social distancing norms.

The customers lined up outside the shops long before they opened at 11 am. Serpentine queues were seen at

liquor shops in Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Anantapur and other districts.

There was chaos at shops, as the increased prices were not updated online, resulting in delay in sale transactions.

At a village in Nellore district, women forced the closure of liquor shops. Fearing that large gathering may lead to spread of coronavirus, they pressured the authorities to shut the outlet.

The Prohibition and Excise Department has issued guidelines for the sale of liquor at the retail outlets run by state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL).

The reopening of liquor shops has come under criticism from main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

TDP state chief Kala Venkat Rao said instead of opening liquor shops, the government should open canteens to provide free food to the people going hungry because of the lockdown.