Liquor companies seek permission to sell alcohol online and on-call

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has prompted a nationwide concern. As a result, the entire nation is quarantined. People are locked inside their homes, waiting for their lives to get back on track. Businesses have suffered considerable losses in this quarantine.

International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI) and Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies have petitioned that the online purchase must be allowed to avoid flocking of people at the retail shops.

These federations represent companies like Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman, Bacardi, Mohan Meakin, and many more.

Food and Alcohol are essential commodities: FSSAI

Director-general of CIABC, Vinod Giri, said that the online purchases must be allowed in addition to the home deliveries. In return, the Government can charge fees for this out of the box facility.

The federations requested that each verified company must be given three to four free passes for movement to ensure smooth home deliveries. They also tried to get things in their favor by proposing that this facility will generate funds that could be used by the Government for further facilities.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also said that food and Alcohol are considered essential commodities. Hence, the purchase should be given permission, at least in safe zones.

The number of COVID-19 cases has reached 10000. The nationwide lockdown has been extended till 3 May 2020.