Sharab Ko Aam Karoo
Srinagar, May 5: At a time when consumers complain that edibles, particularly mutton and chickens are being sold at inflated prices, the authorities seem concerned for boozers by keeping a check on the wine prices.
 In the past few days, the department of Legal Metrology raided some wine shops on the plush Boulevard and recovered a fine of Rs 7500 from the erring traders.
 On Wednesday a government handout confirmed the raids. “The department of Legal Metrology conducted surprise inspection of Liquor shops at Boulevard and booked three wine shops under Rule 23 of Packaged Commodities Rules,1977 for over-charging on wine bottles. A fine of Rs7500 was recovered on spot from these erring traders,” reads the handout from the Metrology office at Srinagar.
 The boozers, as per the authorities, should check the weight of the wine bottle. And as for the department of Legal Metrology, they too fall in the category of consumers who could seek action if their interests are hampered.
 “The consumers are requested to safeguard their interests from the unscrupulous traders and lodge complaints with the department in case of any fraud relating to weights and measures is conducted by any trader. The consumers may contact department on phone no 2105756,” the handout reads.
 But those calling the helpline number under the influence of alcohol may not mind if the call isn’t responded. This is because the phone number is out-of-order for the past few days.
 “The incoming calls of the subscriber you dialled are barred,” echoes the hardwired voice in English, Kashmiri and Urdu.
 Interestingly, the Legal Metrology department woke to safeguard the interests of the boozers on May 1, exactly the day when the district administration started Anti-Smoking campaign with top officials of police and civil administration taking the lead against smokers.
 Some smokers were fined, a schoolboy caught puffing was put to counselling and scores of cigarette boxes put to ashes at the Mushtaq Memorial Press Enclave, on day one of the  drive. The very next day, the Divisional Commissioner pulled up a cop found smoking in the office premises.
 But wine is a different business.  Despite repeated public appeals from various circles that the liquor shops, particular those on the Boulevard be closed, the interests of the boozers are being safeguarded. 
 This is despite the fact that in January this year Shaheen,  a mother of three was killed and her daughter critically wounded by a speeding car driven by a drunk constable. It was just a few hundred yards away from one such wine shop on the Boulevard, recently, pulled up for selling the wine at inflated prices.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 IST