The Delhi Government has launched an e-token system for liquor sales in the national capital. This decision has been taken in view of crowding at liquor shops so that social distancing can be maintained. A web link has been issued for the same. To reduce crowding at standalone liquor shops, the AAP government contemplating home delivery of liquor after Punjab, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh took the decision to provide doorstep delivery of liquor.
Thousands of people thronged liquor shops across Delhi after 150-odd standalone shops were allowed to open in compliance with the Centre’s guidelines for Lockdown 3.0. With long queues and people jostling in many areas on the first day, police had to use force to disperse the crowd. But similar scenes were witnessed on day 2 and day 3 as well.
The Delhi government said in a statement that it took this decision to encourage people to avoid long queues by applying for an e-token.
Here’s how the process works:
• People can apply for an e-token through the link ‘https://www.qtoken.in/’
• Users have to provide their name and phone number, following which the e-token will be sent to the phone
• Tokens will be also be issued for those standing in queues, as per a Delhi government order
Why it has been done?
The e-token will help to maintain social distancing and cut down on waiting time in long queues by specifying time for each e-coupon holder to buy liquor at a shop.
The people will require to furnish the address of liquor shops in their area along with their mobile number and other details while applying for e-token on the web link.
However, the website for the token crashed within a few hours of its launch. A senior official attributed that to “high traffic within a limited time after the announcement”. The link is still not working.
Following the guidelines of the Central government, the Delhi government had given permission to open about 200 shops across the national capital from Monday onwards. However, due to overcrowding and long queues in some areas, only 50 shops could be kept open.
Liquor shops would also start issuing coupons to people standing outside in queues, as per a government order, which also directed the deployment of marshals, to ensure social distancing, and use of more barricades, for area management.
The additional tax of 70% on the maximum retail price of liquor would continue in Delhi.
Delhi has 864 liquor shops, of which 475 are owned by government departments, ranging from tourism to industrial and infrastructure development. The other 389 are owned by private individuals and enterprises.
