Pune: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opposed the State government’s decision of allowing liquor shops to reopen in the State as well as in the hotspots in Pune. The party demanded their immediate closure to avoid social problems.
BJP State President Chandrakant Patil clarified his party’s stand on Wednesday. He also distributed essential items’ kits to Ganesh mandal workers.
Patil said, “It is dangerous to allow liquor shops to reopen in the city and State. People are not following rules of social distancing and crowding around liquor shops. Liquor is not an essential commodity. It will create problems in families. It is not appropriate to allow liquor shops to reopen for revenue. Revenue is not the only aspect of liquor. It has different side effects. The government should order the closure of these shops.”
Patil advised Ganesh mandal activists to celebrate Ganesh festival at a small level, observing all norms.
He said, “Activists are the backbone of Ganeshotsav. They should take care of their families. BJP distributed 2.30 lakh essential items’ kits, which included 25 essential items.”
Similarly, BJP corporator and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee Chairman Hemant Rasane and his friends distributed kits to 1,000 Ganesh mandal workers at the Saraswati Mandir premises on Bajiro Road. Mayor Murlidhar Mohol and Deputy Mayor Saraswati Shedge were present.
Rasane said, “BJP workers and Ganesh mandal workers have done a good job by helping the needy people in COVID-19 epidemic. Now, we are appreciating their work by distributing the kits. These workers are corona fighters.”
The opening of liquor shops has led to long queues of masked tipplers around 2-3 km long, some making it even before sunrise.
In Mumbai, though a modicum of discipline was witnessed in some parts, in most places physical distancing was all but forgotten as the tipplers full-throated joined the war for the wine.
“I have spent over Rs 20,000 to buy special suits, masks, gloves, sanitisers, for my entire staff. But, I am worried about the damage the crowds can wreak on my shop, the liquor bottles and even harm my boys,” Prasad Shetty, a worried wholesaler from Malad said.
State Excise Commissioner Kantilal Umap earlier appealed to the people not to crowd around shops, maintain physical distancing, etc., but nobody seemed to care.
(Inputs from IANS)