Shaurya Sharma
Fatehgarh Sahib. May 07, 2020: Though the State government allowed to open the wine shops, but the wine shops in most of the towns of the district remained closed in protest, whereas the wine shops in the district headquarter town Sirhind and adjoining rural area on the name and style of Tinku wines owned by Vijay Sharma alias Tinku, a senior Congress leader and Chairman District Planning Board Mohali were opened.
Tinku said that they have decided to open the wine shops as the government allowed, he said the other wine contractors should also open the shops as strike is no solution to any problem rather they should talk to the government. He demanded that the home delivery of wine should be immediately stopped as it will create great problem for the wine contractors as well as for the public. He said it will encourage illegal sale of liquor and all anti social elements will started smuggling of liquor, which will cause a great loss of revenue to government and contractors. He also demanded the change in timing; he said that instead of 7AM to 3PM, it should be from 10AM to at least 7 or 8 PM. He also supported the demand of other contractors.
Harpreet Singh Prince wine contractor said that home delivery should be banned immediately as it will lead to illegal smuggling of liquor. The government should charge the licence fee on sale of liquor and as per the working hours. He demanded that the licence fee of the lock down period should be waived.
When contacted Sachin ETO Excise, he said that department has called a meeting of the contractors to convince them moreover this problem is related to State level.