NEW DELHI: Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday cautioned the states against allowing exceptions to the lockdown other than those permitted under the consolidated guidelines issued by the home ministry in exercise of its powers under the Disaster Management Act.This comes in the wake of states like Kerala and Meghalaya allowing sale or home delivery of liquor for “health” reasons. No exception for sale/delivery of liquor is allowed under the home ministry guidelines.In a letter to the state chief secretaries, Bhalla said allowing exceptions other than those contained in the guidelines issued by the home ministry on March 24, followed by addendums dated March 25 and 27, is a violation of lockdown measures and defeats the overall purpose of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.“All the state governments/UT administrations are requested to strictly implement the lockdown measures issued by MHA,” the home secretary told the chief secretaries.The Kerala government had on Monday allowed issue of special passes for drinkers, who have withdrawal symptoms and carry a doctor’s prescription, to purchase liquor from the excise department.A Kerala government order said that following the lockdown and closure of liquor outlets in the state, “there were many instances of social issues including the frustration and suicide tendencies shown by those who used to consume liquor regularly and the state government has decided to initiate steps to resolve the matter.”"If such a person gets a prescription from the doctors saying he has withdrawal symptoms, he could be provided with liquor in a controlled manner," the order read.Incidentally the Indian Medical Association had objected to the Kerala order saying prescribing liquor for those displaying ‘withdrawal symptoms’ was not a “scientific’ treatment.Meghalaya government too has allowed home delivery of liquor against prescription issue by a registered medical practitioner. “The government has approved home delivery of liqour on health grounds, strictly against medical prescription," deputy secretary, of excise department, B Syiemlieh said."Warehouses may be allowed to sell liquor as a special case up to April 14," an excise department communique issued on Monday had stated.