Drinking after a long time

States are hiking taxes on liquor to boost revenue and discourage consumption amid the pandemic. Delhi has levied a 70% ‘special corona fee’, Andhra Pradesh has increased alcohol prices by 75%, while Karnataka has hiked the excise duty on liquor by 6%. But costlier booze isn’t keeping the tipplers away: There were long queues outside liquor shops when they reopened after a 40-day gap on Monday. Several shops across the country had to be shut as unruly crowds broke social distancing norms. Alcohol makers have called for better crowd management at liquor outlets and sought online sales of spirits.