Liquor portal in Bengal

The Bengal excise department has created an online portal where customers can register their details and choose a vendor to have liquor delivered home.

On the excise department’s web page (excise.wb.gov.in), the portal can be accessed through the e-retail field. The registration opened on Wednesday. It asks for the mobile number and exact address.

Vendors can charge a convenience fee that varies from 20 to 40 per cent of the maximum retail price per bottle, depending on the distance and availability.

Vendors need not be located in the neighbourhood shop. But it is left to the discretion of the retailer where to deliver and when.

The vendors could also be some bars and restaurants now shut and departmental stores that did not sell alcohol earlier.

There is no option to make payment after placing an order. The site says the retailer will get in touch with the customer in due course.