Within minutes of the Telangana government announced imposition of lockdown across the state for 10 days with effect from Wednesday as part of containing the Coronavirus, long queues were witnessed at the liquor shops in various parts of the state, particularly in Hyderabad, on Tuesday morning.
The boozers appear to be so much worried that they might not be able to get liquor again in their lifetime, though the lockdown is being imposed only for a period of 10 days.
Pictures and videos of people queuing up before the wine shops, caring a damn for Covid-19 guidelines, have gone viral in the social media.
However, the tipplers heaved a sigh of relief after coming to know about the flash news that the government has permitted liquor shops to open as early as at 6 am from Wednesday but would be closed before 10 am, when the lockdown comes into effect.
It would mean, alcoholics can queue up before the wine shops in the early hours and purchase their stock before 10 am.
Even the excise department and the Telangana state breweries corporation limited will open the offices by 6 am to ensure supply of adequate stocks to the wine shops.
Obviously, the KCR government doesn’t want to lose much revenue from liquor, which is the main source of income to the government.
So, whether you get milk or vegetables every day, you will definitely get liquor at the wine shops!