Assam cabinet approves online sale of liquor on a trial basis in Guwahati

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• Jul 15, 2021 | moderator

Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has determined to allow online sale/purchase and home delivery of liquor within the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) space for one month on a trial basis to withdraw gathering outside liquor shops given the current COVID-19 circumstances.

At the Cabinet conference on Thursday evening, state minister Keshab Mahanta stated that in the track of the crowding observed outside liquor shops (in the non-curfew hours) and “on the basis of the Supreme Court and Madras High Court directives”, the Cabinet decided to approve in principle, online sale/purchase and home delivery of liquor within the GMC area for a month on an experimental basis.”

The SC had last year transmitted it open for states to view online sales and home delivery of liquor throughout the COVID-19 lockdown time to promote social distancing.

“Such online sale of liquor will be effective once the notification is issued by the government. The guidelines will be prepared by the state excise department,” the minister stated.

“Likewise, the Cabinet decided to amalgamate General Administration Department (GAD) and Secretariat Administration Department (SAD) into one department – General Administration Department,” Mahanta stated.

The minister additionally stated that the Cabinet determined that the information and public relations department would now straight sanction funds to media organizations for the government publications published/broadcast in the media.

“So, media houses will not have to wait long for the funds to be sanctioned,” he stated.

Mahanta also stated that the Cabinet decided to employ the supplies under the 15th Finance Commission in schemes to construct institutions, Anganwadi residences, and parks within communities.