The liquor industry has been severely struck by the restriction on the sale of liquor within 500 metres of the highways. The most affected, in all possibilities, would be the wine industry in Nashik. The All India Wine Producers Association (AIWPA) estimates that the overall sales would be affected by up to 20 per cent, resulting in losses worth approximately £12 million.
“Wine sale happens largely at the star hotels, which have also been affected due to the Supreme Court verdict,” an association member said. Meanwhile Kolkata has its own woes. With around 750 liquor shops and bars back in the business after the state government de-notified state highways, demand rose, but the supply remain inadequate. Partha Chatterjee, owner of a liquor store, said, “We have not added stocks in the last one week because of the uncertainty. The demand is quite high now, but we do not have the supply.”
On the other hand, authorised liquor shops in other parts of north India face violent protests. Multiple cases of violence were reported in 24 districts of Uttar Pradesh, and four fresh attacks were reported in Lucknow. A visibly surprised state home secretary Debasish Panda issued directives to all DMs and SSPs to provide security to liquor shops and take action against violent mobs. Groups mainly consisting of women ransacked and set shops afire in Shahjahanpur and Moradabad in western Uttar Pradesh.
Protestors said they had made several complaints to the local police about the nuisance created by the presence of the liquor shops, but no response was issued. “A group of nearly 50 women ransacked a liquor shop and set it on fire. Though five people have been arrested, Sonu Sharma, a BJP municipal councillor, who was said to be leading the mob, is on the run,” a senior official said. One of the protestors, Premwati said, “The area is populated with low-income families. Most men spend their incomes on alcohol. They beat their wives and children.”
