DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Liquor vends in Haryana reopened from Wednesday after nearly 40 days with reports coming in from most places that there was no violation of social distancing norms as witnessed in some other parts of the country recently. There was no heavy rush of customers at the vends in the state as seen in places like Delhi when the liquor stores had reopened earlier. The vends will remain open from 7 am to 7 pm. The state government has imposed a variable ''COVID cess'', which has made different categories of liquor including Imported Foreign Liquor, Indian-Made Foreign Liquor, country liquor and beer costlier than before. At different vends in districts including Karnal, Panchkula, Gurgaon, Kaithal, Rohtak and Bhiwani, moderate rush of buyers was witnessed. A customer who purchased a liquor bottle from a vend in Karnal said, "I am happy that the government took the decision to open the vends. The timings to open the vends are also good". Another customer from Rohtak said, "The government has decided to hike the rate, but at least they have taken a good decision to open the vends. It will also help them get some revenue". At a few places, people complained of liquor stock not being available with the vend owners. "I came early in the morning, but I was told to wait," said a customer in Fatehabad. Customers from some other places also complained of vends not being stocked. At some places including Faridabad, few vends remained shut. Meanwhile, state Home Minister Anil Vij said he had strictly ordered district police chiefs that social distancing should be ensured. "I had directed them that if there is any violation, then, liquor contractors will be held responsible," he said. (editor@dailyworld.in)