Jaipur, February 16: In the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, liquor traders held a strike on Monday, closing their shops and protesting outside the Excise Office in Jhalana. They demanded an extension of sales hours and an end to alleged police harassment.
The strike had a mixed impact across the city. While most shopkeepers supported the closure, some initially kept their stores open but were later persuaded to shut down by trade organization officials.
Hundreds of traders gathered under the banner of the ‘Raj Liquor Welfare Society’ and marched to the Excise Office. The protest was primarily against the state government’s new excise policy, particularly the proposed 12.5% increase in sales targets, which has caused discontent among traders.
Nilesh Mewada, president of the society, accused the government of raising sales targets without extending sales hours as previously promised, placing additional financial pressure on the traders.
A delegation of protesters met with District Excise Officer Mahipal Singh to present their demands and grievances. The memorandum addressed the increased financial targets and the alleged harassment by local police during routine inspections.
Later, another delegation met with Excise Commissioner Shivprakash Nakate at the secretariat. According to the traders, the commissioner assured them that their demands would be positively considered at the government level and promised immediate discussions with senior police officials regarding the harassment complaints.
Following the commissioner’s intervention and assurances from police officials, the traders decided to call off the strike. By around 2 PM, liquor shops in Jaipur began to reopen, and normal business resumed in the city.
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