Online delivery of alcohol during lockdown was in line with SOPs: Excise Minister Shylla
In the statement, the Excise Minister stated that the government’s decision to allow home delivery of alcohol was in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the move was only to make things convenient for the consumers, especially those who have been prescribed alcohol for medical reasons.
SHILLONG:
Days after Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Vincent H Pala took a potshot at Meghalaya Excise Minister, Kyrmen Shylla for allowing online delivery of alcohol during the lockdown, Shylla on Monday issued a statement defending the government's decision on the same.
In the statement, the Excise Minister stated that the government’s decision to allow home delivery of alcohol was in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the move was only to make things convenient for the consumers, especially those who have been prescribed alcohol for medical reasons.
Defending the move further, Shylla said proper rules and guidelines were framed before the policy was passed including proper verification of identity cards before orders were accepted, thus monitoring underage drinking.
Reacting to Pala's comment that home delivery of alcohol is ruining the youths and leading to alcohol addiction in Meghalaya, he said that the move was done within the legal framework.
Shylla cited examples of neighbouring dry states that are struggling with alcohol and drug addiction in defence against Pala statement, stating that banning the supply of alcohol during lockdown cannot be a solution to make the youth give up on liquor addiction.
He also said that the home delivery of liquor was not aimed at filling the revenue coffers of the state, which is reeling under financial crunch due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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