Yesterday, the Excise Department of West Bengal was quoted as saying by media reports that there will be home delivery of liquor in the State by retail suppliers who procure delivery passes from police stations. Here is what journalist Payal Mehta reported: "Alcohol alert in Kolkata/ Bengal from today. Orders can be placed between 11am - 2pm from shops/ bars. Deliveries between: 2pm-5pm. No shop can engage more than 3 delivery persons. Permission for liquor delivery by Kolkata Police."

In no time, the news went viral, given that home delivery of liquor is something unheard of. However, as per Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha, it was nothing but fake news. "No order has been issued by the state government to this effect," he said.

Bengal is perhaps the only State in India that has allowed sweet shops to operate for limited hours during the national lockdown.