Independent cafés and bars in Karnataka that were closed on March 25 due to a strict lockdown nation-wide have been allowed to sell alcohol at retail cost from Saturday, the legislature said.
“Karnataka government has permitted cafés, bars and bars to sell alcohol at retail costs from tomorrow till May 17. However, they can be sold uniquely in a takeaway functioning,” as ordered by the state government on Friday evening as a measure to maintain social distancing norms.
The shops will be permitted to sell liquor from 9 am to 7 pm, the order stated. Order has been initiated in the view of huge revenues generated in the state due to the high sale of alcohol. Liquor sale of approximately Rs 200 crore was reported for three consecutive days I.e on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Alcohol shops had re-opened in the state on Monday after over 40 days. It was done in accordance with the Center’s new rules for the third period of the lockdown that provided numerous relaxations with a motto to improve the looming economical crisis.
Long lines and uncontrollable crowd were seen outside stores throughout the nation during this time, as individuals ventured out to grab alcohol after being constrained within the home because of the pandemic. The Karnataka state, in the same way as others, has increased the tax on alcohol by 11 percent in a move to help increase its revenue that has been shattered by the pandemic.