The World of Courtesans c7.51

c7.51

The Superintendent of the wine trade also dealt with various problems connected with it. For instance, keeping in view the demand and supply position, he controlled or decontrolled the sale of wine and liquors. He imposed a fine of six hundred *panas* on offenders, other than those who were manufacturers, purchasers and sellers in liquor trade. Apparently this rule was laid down to guard against the unauthorized traffic in liquors. Another rule prohibited men from taking the wine manufactured in villages to the cities. This was apparently done with a view to prevent smuggling on a large scale and ensured that the governmental machinery for the control of the wine trade was not put out of gear. It was also the duty of the Superintendent to see that wine shops were not situated close to one another. This rule was made with a view to avoiding drunken brawls.