The Odisha government has allowed home delivery of liquor with a 50% hike termed as ‘Special COVID Fee’ on the maximum retail price. An amendment was made under the Odisha Excise Rules, 2017, for enabling home delivery in the state by existing liquor shops. However, deliveries will not be allowed in containment zones.
“The government has introduced a Special COVID Fee by amending the relevant rules and increased the MRPs of all types of foreign liquor and beer by 50% of the MRPs prevailing last year (2019-20),” said the State Excise Department.
The state government also promised that all additional revenue generated from the sale of liquor would be spent on COVID-19 related expenses and allied activities.
“Home delivery of liquor can be taken up by retailers directly and also through reputed food aggregators, standard technology platforms, and delivery service providers acting as retail aggregators,” said the government.
The delivery charge will vary depending on the order value, with the minimum being ₹100, applicable on orders up to ₹1,000. Thereafter, ₹25 will be charged for every additional ₹500 in order value. However, a ceiling of ₹300 has been set as the maximum delivery fee retailers can charge.
Deliveries will take place between 7 am. and 6 pm and the maximum amount allowed per customer is up to 2.5 litres of IMFL and 5 litres of beer.
All delivery executives are bound to follow the prescribed norms including wearing masks, maintaining six feet distance, and practicing appropriate sanitization methods. No person with symptoms, or who is unwell, should be engaged for home delivery, the Excise Department said.