The wine dealers and welfare association in Shillong has urged Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma to grant permission to open their wine shops in the state.
The wine dealers’ association said the sudden closure of wine shops has created an immense public demand for their quota of liquor.
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This request came a day after the Meghalaya government cancelled its earlier order that allowed home delivery of liquor on health grounds.
Also read: Home delivery of liquor on health grounds ordered in Meghalaya
The East Khasi Hills Wine Dealers and Welfare Association president OB Tariang and general secretary Ernest Mawrie dashed off a letter on Friday to the Meghalaya chief minister seeking permission to open liquor shops.
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In the letter they said, “We, the wine shops owners, have faced immense public pressure in this regard whereby we are getting calls requesting for alcohol requirements.”
They also informed the Meghalaya chief minister that “for majority of the people of Meghalaya, the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been the way of life, and the sudden closure has created an immense public demand for their quota of liquor.”
While urging the government to allow opening of wine shops on allocated days with other essential commodities, the association assured to adhere to “social distancing rule” and “public hygiene”.
On Thursday, the state government withdrew its order allowing home delivery of liquor against prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner following reservation raised by the Indian Medical Association.