Noida Liquor Buy One Get One: Liquor shops in Noida saw a huge rush after heavy discounts and schemes like one or two bottles free on each purchase as stores tried to deplete stocks till 31 March.
Clips from liquor outlets in Sector 18, Noida, showed long queues outside shops. Shoppers were seen jostling and even stacking bottles as they rushed to secure the discounted stock.
Stock Clearance Till 31 March
The urgency comes as the excise department’s financial year ends on 31 March. Liquor vendors are required to sell off their existing stock by 12 noon, or the unsold alcohol will be deposited into government accounts. Alarmed by this rule, the vendors have lifted spirits by launching several buy-one-get-one-free offers.
A few years back, a similar offer in Delhi led to huge crowds at liquor outlets, and later, former CM Arvind Kejriwal found himself embroiled in liquor scam allegations.
Videos showcasing the rush to buy cheap alcohol are being widely shared on social media. Users are helping each other locate liquor shops, with many inquiring about the names of the vendors.
One user recalled the past controversy, remarking, "Under the same scheme in Delhi, many allegations were made against Kejriwal. Now that this is happening in Noida, who should be held accountable for the free alcohol?"
Another commented that the offer is like a festive sale on liquor—"buy one bottle, get another free."