Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Aug 17: The latest direction of District Administration to make ATM/ Debit Cards mandatory for buying liquor from ANIIDCO wine shops and also from any local Bar, has come as a great shock for dozens and dozens of people, who prefer not to keep any kind of debit and credit card for various reasons.
Since last two days dozens and dozens of people, mostly people from low income groups can be seen standing helplessly infront of various wine shops across city.
“I have no money in my bank account and hence I don’t carry any ATM or debit card. When Government of India has issued currency notes, how come anyone refuse to accept cash. This is unconstitutional,” said a person who could not by liquor today.
There are many who are supporting this move but are demanding that optional cash payment should also be allowed for a place like Andaman, where payment by ATM or Debit card often take too much time.
Worst hit are those who are sending someone else to buy liquor as in that case they will now have to give their ATM and Debit Card to the person with PIN details.
“If the Administration wants to ban liquor, the Administration should go ahead and do it. Why the Administration is imposing new and difficult rules every other day?” said another customer of ANIIDCO Wine Shop Mohanpura.
When Contacted, the District Commissioner, South Andaman Mr Udit Prakash Rai said that as a far as ANIIDCO is concerned it is the order given by the MD ANIIDCO but the District Administration enforced this cashless policy in BARs and the condition was earlier mentioned to the BAR Owners during the time of Renewal in April.
As the Government is moving ahead with Cashless Policy therefore it was the instruction from the GOI to move towards cashless policy and as the BAR and Liquor are not essential for living thus the administration moved ahead to do so, he said.
