Sircilla municipality imposes fine on shop for selling liquor to those without masks

Hyderabad: In a first in Telangana, the municipal administration of Sircilla town in Rajanna Siricilla district, has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on a wine shop, for having sold liquor to people who were not wearing masks. The officials informed that Mallikarjuna Wines in the town was fined for “ giving materials to those who were not wearing masks, acting against Government rules.”

Two days ago, when Chief Minister K Chandra Shekhar Rao lifted the ban on liquor sales in the state, he gave orders making it mandatory to maintain social distancing at wine shops and also sanitation measures to be in place. Further, he also said that liquor should not be sold if buyers are not wearing masks. He also directed the police department and Excise department to ensure that there is no crowding at the wine shops and it is the responsibility of the wine shop to see that all lockdown norms are implemented without fail. He also warned to seal any wine shop that violated the orders.

On Friday, municipal staff in Sircilla town noticed that Mallikarjuna wines were selling to people without wearing masks and took immediate action. Officials opine that this action will send out a strong message among the people and also the wine shops, to abide strictly to the rules.

Meanwhile, Telangana Government had issued orders to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on any person not wearing a mask. While wearing mask was made mandatory during April, the fresh order comes in the wake of the lockdown extended to the third phase in the state.