AIBA, which represents 83 manufacturing breweries including United Breweries, Carlsberg, Bira, and Molson & Coors, has proposed creating special licenses for private e-commerce and food delivery companies.

The national association of beer companies has approached chief ministers of eight states this weekend seeking partial resumption of brewing facilities and sale of beer through e-commerce and home delivery platforms.

“COVID-19 has the potential to disrupt business for the rest of the year. It is imperative that state excise departments introduce policies that facilitate home delivery of beer, wine and alcohol,” All India Brewers’ Association (AIBA) wrote to chief ministers of states including Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, West Bengal and Haryana.

AIBA, which represents 83 manufacturing breweries including United Breweries, Carlsberg, Bira, and Molson & Coors, has proposed creating special licenses for private e-commerce and food delivery companies such as Flipkart, Amazon, Grofers, Zomato and Swiggy.

“Sale through e-commerce and home delivery will lead to reduced crowding at shops and ensure that beer sales and excise revenue are not impacted adversely,” AIBA director-general Shobhan Roy said in the letter.

The move would also help tens of thousands of daily wagers to earn a living, AIBA said, pointing out that the beer industry directly or indirectly employs more than 7.5 million people, including many daily wagers.

Source:

The Economic Times