After SC ban, Madhya Pradesh runs liquor vends on wheels

Bhopal: Local excise department officials in a Madhya Pradesh district have devised an innovative way to “offset revenue losses” caused by the recent Supreme Court directive prohibiting sale of liquor along National Highways (NHs) by running mobile alcohol shops.

In a first of its kind move, the Vidisha district excise department has decided to run liquor shops on wheels at three places close to the National Highway in the region after auction of three liquor outlets in the area found no bidders.

“The three liquor outlets at Topura, Subhash ward and bus stand areas could not be auctioned due to ban imposed on sale of alcohol along the NHs by the Supreme Court. No one in the three localities was willing to let out their sites to open liquor shops.

Hence, a decision to open vends in autorickshaws and mini-trucks has been taken to offset the revenue losses caused by non-auctioning of the outlets, Vidisha district excise officer Vinod khatika said. He, however, added that these mobile shops are doing business well beyond 500 metres from NHs as per the SC directive.

The mobile liquor shops are seen selling alcohol in autorickshaws and min-trucks with banners pasted on them saying they are government spirit outlets. The shops are seen selling liquor under the vigilance of excise officials.

These shops have generated curiosity among the locals who thronged them whenever they arrived at their respective areas, much to the discomfiture of the tippler customers as well as the salesmen.

Even, people particularly youths were seen taking selfie with the mobile liquor shops in the backdrop.