Meghalaya collects Rs 6-cr revenue from liquor sales amid lockdown relaxations

Shillong, May 8 () The Meghalaya government hascollected over Rs 6 crore as revenue from liquor sales afterwine shops were allowed to open earlier this week as part ofthe lockdown relaxations, Deputy Chief Minister PrestoneTynsong said.

Tipplers have been queueing up outside liquor outletsin the state since they reopened on Monday, officials said.

Authorities, however, have urged customers and shopowners to stricty abide by social distancing norms, failingwhich they would be asked to down shutters.

"Establishments will be asked to close down if theyfail to take measures to prevent overcrowding," ChiefSecretary M S Rao said.

Wine stores had reopened in Meghalaya for a day onApril 13, but were shut after one person tested positive forCOVID-19 on the same day.

The country is under lockdown till May 17 to containthe spread of COVID-19. JOPRBT RBT