Tank up, Dry days ahead

Over a week to go before voting day, and alcohol shops have already begun putting up boards informing customers about the forthcoming dry days.

Since voting for the civic elections will be held on February 16, the 15th, 16th and 17th have been marked as dry days in Mumbai.

“The display board is a ritual thing for us. It is up to the customer and his requirement to buy what he needs, as all shops and bars will be shut for the three days,” said Arvind Miskin, president of Maharashtra Wine Merchants Association (MWMA).

“As of now, people have not come to us in large numbers, but there will probably be a big rush on Feb 14,” said Perzon Zend, owner of Peekay Wines, near the Mumbai police commissioner’s office.

Randip Singh, his neighbor and owner of Shah Wines, concurred. “A lot of people do not know about the dry days yet. It’s a good thing these are weekdays. Had all the dry days fallen on Friday or Saturday, when we have 60 percent of our business, we would have lost out in a big way. Though Feb 17 is Friday, and we are certain to lose out on business in a big way, it’s not just my shop that will suffer. It is like the saying, when it rains, everyone has to buy umbrellas,” said Singh.

To ensure that sales are good before the dry days begin, Singh said that he would be stocking more of rum.

“After a brief spell of heat, the weather has again turned cold. I feel more people will go for rum in such a climate.”