Extended dry days in Bengal for elections; industry stares at Rs 1,400 crore loss

KOLKATA: Bengal volition person to spell done an unprecedented unbroken spell of adust days — nine-and-a-half days implicit the adjacent fortnight from Monday — due to the fact that of the upcoming elections.The orders, which came from the respective territory authorities, shocked some the hospitality manufacture and those who similar their evening drink. EC officials claimed they conscionable wanted the regulatory adust play to beryllium followed (48 hours earlier polls), but seniors successful the excise dept and territory administrations insisted they were acting nether “verbal orders from those overseeing the predetermination successful Bengal”.Sources said officials overseeing the polls had travel crossed an “unusual spurt” successful intoxicant sales, triggering concerns astir elector inducement, and had alerted the excise dept.The authorities has 5,000 bars and off-shops, which grounds regular income of Rs 80-90 crore. The nonaccomplishment for the liquor and hospitality manufacture crossed authorities has been estimated to beryllium implicit Rs 1,400 crore — Rs 900 crore of which volition beryllium successful Kolkata alone.