Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has allowed home delivery of liquor during the lockdown period while directing collectors to take appropriate decision in this regard keeping in view the situation in their respective districts.
All the depots of OSBC Ltd. will operate during this period for wholesale trade between 6:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M
“After careful consideration and in exercise of the powers conferred by Section-93 of the Odisha Excise Act-2008, Government have been pleased to delegate the decision of introducing home delivery of liquor by IMFL ‘OFF’ / ‘ON’/ C.L / O.S shops as well as by food aggregators during the lockdown period to Collectors who will take appropriate decision in this regard in their respective districts after taking into consideration the prevailing situation,” SK Lohani, principal secretary to government said in a letter to the Excise Commissioner.
The guidelines of Excise Department issued on 23.05.2020 regarding home delivery of IMFL / Beer and guidelines issued on 29.06.2020 regarding home delivery of C.L / O.S liquor will be followed. All the depots of OSBC Ltd. will operate during this period for wholesale trade between 6:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M, he added.
In May 2020, two food aggregators – Zomato and Swiggy had got permission to operate under several municipal corporation limits.
The State government had then categorically stated that the retailers/aggregators will have to follow the legal provisions relating to advertisement and publicity for liquor. “No picture/image/infographics/video etc. or alluring offers for promotion of any products/brand will be done through their mobile application, portal, website or any such digital platforms created for placing orders,” it had stated.