Jammu/May,21: Social distancing norms went for a toss as liquor shops reopen following relaxation announced by Jammu and Kashmir government. Since morning serpentine queue of people is seen gathered outside liquor shops. Overenthusiastic tipplers are waiting for their turn to lay hands on brands of their choice. Some.of them have been waiting for hours before shops opened their shutters.
“We came early to avoid standing in queue for a whole day under the scorching sun,” said Ram Prakash, one of the consumer. Police and liquor shops owners are having real tough time convincing people to maintain social distancing while buying liquor. At some of the places, police had to resort to cane charging to discipline unruly crowd.
People blame administration for huge rush outside liquor shops. “It is unwise on the part of the concerned department only to reopen six out of 70 liquor shops in Jammu. In such situation huge gathering outside liquor stores is obvious,” said one of the local resident.
During lock down 3.0 when the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed reopening of liquor shops in the rest of the country, J&K administration chose to look another way.
During lock down 4.0 to revive dwindling economy, J&K govt lifted restrictions on several business activities including liquor business. This decision by the government brought a smile on faces of liquor vendors, who had been hit hard since nationwide lock down was announced.
Apart from liquor shops, all private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes (including OPD services), banks have resumed normal functions including OPD services. Keeping in view the spike in Covid19 cases, Jammu and Kashmir govt is yet to give a green signal for the movement of interstate buses.
Buses will only be allowed to ply on inter green zone district routes and that too with 50 per cent capacity so that social distancing is properly taken care of.
