Nagpur: Despite witnessing unprecedented rush for liquor after restarting of sale, the city is unlikely to run out of stock very soon. Wholesalers have enough stock to last for over 15 days and they are waiting for transport to resume so that fresh stocks arrive from distilleries.
Shiraz Gimi of Bapuna Group, a partner in several wine shops, said he has enough stock for the city to last for days, though some brands might not be available after a couple of days at several locations. “It is a matter to two to three days before fresh stock arrives from distilleries. Wholesalers have enough stock to supply retailers. They had stocked up for summer before the lockdown began so there is nothing to worry,” he told TOI.
Adesh Jaiswal of Shriram Sales too said that he had enough stock for 15-17 days. “However, fresh stock is not arriving. I hope transport starts soon,” he added.
Wholesalers are happy that administration has allowed home delivery of liquor. “Our stock was lying in godowns for weeks and we were incurring losses. Now as retailers are able to sell huge volumes of liquor, they are placing orders with us,” said Gimi. He added that government had a negative attitude towards liquor industry even though excise duty is second largest revenue generator after goods and services tax (GST). “Home delivery of liquor should have started from day one of the lockdown,” he said.
Meanwhile, retailers continue to do roaring business. They are getting too many orders and have limited number of staffers to deliver the stuff. They have started facing problems since Saturday as police and excise staffers have tightened the screws and are allowing them to supply liquor only to permit holders. Action was taken against four retailers for selling liquor to non-permit holders. On Sunday, cops and excise officials were seen at many wine shops and were ensuring a double check of permit at the time of dispatch of liquor.
Many shops were selling liquor to permit holders only from day one. This has led to hundreds of people applying for permit online and offline. Excise department earned Rs4.90 lakh by issuing liquor permits on the first day of home delivery. Most of the people applied for one-year permit.
Siddhant Agrawal of Sohanlal and Sons at Variety Square said, “We have enough stock and can fulfil the requirement of people. We have also placed orders and from Monday onwards supply is expected to start.”
Vinod Johri of Johri Wines said he has run out of regular brands and now has only premium tipples like Scotch whisky. “I also have enough stock of beer and wine. I am expecting a delivery in a day or two,” he told TOI.
Meanwhile, a bar near Mahal Zenda Chowk put up a display of contact no. for home delivery. Hundreds of people were seen in front of that bar on Sunday afternoon.
A wine shop near Gandhi Gate was found selling liquor with half shutter down. According to a TOI reader, another outlet at Gittikhadan Square flouted home delivery guidelines and surreptitiously supplied liquor to its customers directly in their cars.
Covid distancing was nowhere in sight at many wine shops, despite police presence.
