A few weeks ago they had signs up temporarily suspending new applications - could that be what you're referring to? It seems that some of our less well paid worker friends were using their permits to buy booze and then sell on the ever-popular black market, hence the short term crackdown. Business as usual now; (I think) this is old news.
As SpamCanDriver says, this is too good a money spinner for them to put a lid on. If it IS true, it will spark more of a rebellion than any three day rule ever could...