Corona tax to make liquor cost 70 per cent more in Delhi

New Delhi : Delhi government has imposed a special kind of corona tax on the liquors to discourage the over crowding and consumption of the alcohol. A 70 per cent tax has been imposed on the MRP, the revised prices will come to effect from Tuesday.

The move will end up generating revenues for the government which is facing tough time financially in dealing with the current coronavirus situation.

The move comes after some liquor shops were opened in the national capital after 40-day lockdown and had to be closed soon as many people were seen flouting the social distancing norms in order to buy some of the alcohol.

Soon after the liquor shops opened, the sellers were ordered to shut them since people who gathered outside the outlets did not follow social distancing norms, and the police had to use mild force in some cases to disperse the unruly crowd.

People across India were seen queing up since early morning outside liquor shops to buy some. Following the outcome of people thronging the liquor shops ignoring all social distancing norms, the Delhi Police's Special Branch prepared a report and suggested that the timing for sale of alcohol be extended to avoid crowding at the outlets.

The Delhi Excise Commissioner wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner stating, "Directions may be conveyed to field functionaries that liquor vends of 4 government corporations as per list finalised by them in pursuance to order of this department should be allowed to function from 9 am to 6:30 pm."

Delhi Government earns a revenue of Rs 5000 crores from the sale of liquor.