Don't allow liquor sale in COVID-19 hotspots: BJP leader
He said social distancing norms were not followed whenpeople gathered outside liquor shops when they opened onMonday following relaxations in lockdown rules.
Patil said earning revenue from alcohol sale shouldnot be the driving force behind opening liquor outlets duringthe lockdown.
"Allowing the sale of liquor during the lockdown inPune and other districts in the state is dangerous and itshould be stopped," said Patil while talking to reportershere.
The former minister there are two reasons why liquoroutlets should not be allowed to operate during the lockdownwhich has been imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus.
When permission to open liquor shops was given, longqueues were observed outside them with no compliance to socialdistancing norms, Patil said.
Secondly, it involves issues at the domestic level,the BJP leader said.
"Keep aside the revenue angle and think about socialproblems that will surface due to the decision," said the MLAfrom Kothrud in Pune.
He said liquor does not come under the "essentialcommodity" category, and Pune and Mumbai have been declaredhotspots for COVID-19, where liquor shops should not beallowed to remain open.
On Tuesday night, the Mumbai civic body withdrewpermission given to liquor shops to operate during thelockdown. SPKRSY RSY