Liquor vend licensees want order on dry days amended

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20

Liquor vend licensees have requested the authorities to open liquor shops after 5 pm on the day of the Municipal Corporation (MC) elections to be held on December 24.

The UT Administration has declared December 22 to December 24, and December 27 (counting day) as dry days.

In a representation to the Deputy Commissioner, the licence holders submitted that it is clear from the model code of conduct that there is a restriction on the sale, service and consumption of liquor during the polling on December 24.

The polling will end at 5 pm. Accordingly, liquor shops should be allowed to open after the voting hours in the city. However, on the days prior to elections on December 22 and 23, liquor shops should be permitted to remain open during the day, till canvassing is allowed. Similarly, on the day of counting, liquor shops should be permitted to open after 6 pm.

The liquor vend licensees are already running into huge losses in this financial year. Hence, it was requested that the order dated December 17 may be amended accordingly in the larger interests of the trade.