Liquor sales resumed in most areas of Odisha on Sunday but only through home delivery.
Sale of the tipple across the counter or by anyone on their premises is strictly prohibited. Home delivery is allowed only in areas outside containment zones.
Excise commissioner Anjan Kumar Manik told The Telegraph: “Home delivery of liquor has begun in different parts of the state, including towns like Rourkela and Bhawanipatna. It will soon begin in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with discussions going on with the members of the liquor traders’ association who are demanding over the counter sale of liquor.”
The state government has introduced a “Special Covid Fee” and increased the maximum retail price (MRPs) of all types of foreign liquor and beer by 50 per cent of the MRPs prevailing last year (2019-20).
“The additional revenue generated will go towards meeting the expenses being incurred by the state government in treatment of Covid-19 patients and related activities. Home delivery of liquor can be taken up by retailers directly and also through reputed food aggregators, standard technology platforms, delivery service providers etc acting as retail aggregators,” a government notification said.
Orders for home delivery of liquor can be received by the retailers over phone or through SMS, whatsapp, email etc. Retailers have to ensure that there is no crowding in front of their shops.
“The food aggregators, standard technology platforms, delivery service providers acting as retail aggregators for the purpose of home delivery of liquor can be engaged by retailers only when they have taken NOC (No Objection Certificate) from excise commissioner, Odisha for this purpose,” the notification said.
Excise superintendent Khurda Prasanna Kumar Acharya said: “Zomato and Swiggy have been permitted to make home delivery of liquor. However, a shopowner can use his delivery boy for the purpose.” No extra charge beyond notified MRP plus delivery charges (as notified by the excise commissioner) shall be demanded/collected from consumers.
In case of electronic payment (inter-bank transaction/credit card etc), any nominal commission charged by the bank can also be realised from the customer. Excise Commissioner has been authorised to decide on the rates for delivery charges from time to time.
The ceiling notified by him at present is Rs. 100/- for orders upto Rs. 1000/- and thereafter Rs. 25/- for every additional Rs. 500/- order value. In no case the delivery charge will exceed Rs. 300/-. “Normal timing for Home delivery would be between 7 AM to 6 PM. Orders are expected to be delivered within 6 hours.,” the notification said.
The delivery persons would be required to carry an I-Card issued by the retailer/agency and an invoice which will also act a pass to facilitate movement. He will deliver the items along with the invoice against the payment.
The delivery boys will have to follow all the social distancing norms like wearing masks, maintaining 6 feet distance and using sanitiser frequently. No person who is unwell or has any symptoms of COVID-19 should be engaged for home delivery. Digital payment is advisable as it will facilitate the contactless transaction and also ensure social distancing.
(ends.)
