CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, May 3: The liquor shops in the city have been locked for the last three days after the implementation of the new excise policy from May 1 in the state. It is becoming a matter of concern for the habitual drinkers in the city.
As per the new excise policy, the liquor warehouse and stores in the state will be operated by the state-run Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited (JSBCL) through hired agencies.
The Jharkhand Rajya Khudra Sharaab Vikreta Sangh (JRKSVS) has criticised the government’s decision as this will bring in new staff from different places across the country and the ones in the state will be unemployed.
However, the officials from the Department of Excise and Prohibition have denied this and have said that the people who were working in the liquor shops earlier will now be appointed through the placement team of the department.
Gajendra Kumar Singh, Joint Commissioner of the Department of Excise and Prohibition has informed lagatar24.com that the sale of liquor has already started in 16 districts of the state except for Ranchi and Palamu. The shops in Ranchi are expected to re-open in a couple of days.
Areas such as Bahu Bazaar, Dangra Toli and Purulia Road have the most number of tippers in the city and they are facing a lot of issues with no availability of liquor in town.
“We are waiting for the shops to re-open as it is very tough for us to live without drinking. We are forced to buy alcohol at double the rate in black from a few places. The government should reopen the shops as soon as possible,” said one of the tippers from Dangra Toli Chowk.
With liquor shops closed, many people who already have liquor stock at their home are selling it in black at a higher rate or many people are trying to contact their army friends to get some bottles from the canteen.
