The liquor sale in the State crashed drastically since the day when all Government licensed liquor shops opened after around two-months of lockdown imposed by the Government.
The sales dropped from 70 to 80 per cent in May compared to corresponding period of last year due to closure of bars, restaurants and hotels, restrictions in social gatherings, specially in evening and the impact on consumers’ earnings created by the lockdown.
A sales boy working at Liquor Shop situated at Kanke Road, DhirendraChaudhary said around 60 to 70 per cent of customers decreased at present. “Only very few customers are coming now to buy liquor. Social distancing and timing of sales are main reason, which has dropped the sales and due to lockdown many people lost their source of earning which also affected the sales. Actually the main timing of liquor sale is from mid-evening to late evening and at present the State Government instructed to close the shops at 7 in the evening,” he added.
According to the data provided Jharkhand Liquor Shop Association, on the opening day, Rs 3.50 crore of liquor was sold where on the fourth day it decreased to Rs 2 crore.
The State Government following the path of other states, with view to increase revenue collection which heavily impacted due to lockdown, to start liquor sale but it hit hard due to several reasons. The State Government had generated a revenue of more than Rs 150 crores every month through the Excise Department before the lockdown. Now, it targets to generate more than Rs 300 crore every month but the current sales situation is raised very serious concerned for the Government in generating revenues.
Sales of liquor being the major source of revenue, the Jharkhand Government has decided to hike the price of alcohol by 20-22 per cent per bottle to generate additional revenue. The Government has made it clear that the sale of liquor would not be on MRP.
However, on the condition of anonymity a member of Liquor Shop Owner Association informed that they are getting many difficulties to run their shops with lower sales. “The Government should change the closure time of the shops from 7 in the evening to 11 in the night so that the sales could increase and the Government could earn more revenue. Increased prices of the liquors also affecting the sales as due to lockdown only habitual customers are affording to buy the liquor and occasional consumers are not coming on the counters,” he added.