Govt will take decision soon on reopening of liquor shops in Pondy: CM

The Puducherry government will

soon take a decision on reopening liquor shops in the Union Territory, where outlets selling IMFL, arrack and toddy remain shut due to COVID 19 lockdown for over a month.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters at his daily briefing on Thursday that his government was now facing a serious setback in its revenue as excise was a major source of income to meet its commitments.

"With the closure of the liquor shops, the territorial administration is suffering a heavy loss of revenue," he noted.

The neighbouring Tamil Nadu has allowed liquor outlets to restart business from Thursday.

As far as Puducherry is concerned the administration would take a decision through a meeting of the cabinet in the next few days.

"I have already held discussions with the owners of the shops to enlist their views on the issue and again I will have parleys with the licensees to decide on reopening of the outlets," he said.

Puducherry had been "traditionally a ...