The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray with recommendations for phased resumption of business—from distillery to wine stores—given the revenue and employment implications for the state.

“What has compounded problem for alcoholic beverage industry is the fact that excise policy for many states come to an end on March 31. Prior to that date, there are several statutory requirements that ought to be met by companies for them to keep continuity of operations,” CIABC said in its letter to the CM.

“Taxes on alcoholic beverage is one of most important source of revenue for state governments, and is vitally required in fighting coronavirus spread,” the letter said.

It also highlighted liquor industry’s support by producing “lakhs of litres of sanitisers using the raw material that it had actually bought for producing alcoholic beverages.”

The letter pointed out the undesired consequences as well.

“Within just two weeks of the lock down, there are already growing reports of sale of illicit and spurious liquor. There have been instances of break-ins and loot of alcohol stock from shops which are easy target due to administration’s attention on Corona and absence of people on streets,” the letter said.