Delhi Election Commission to keep check on flow of illicit liquor ahead of LS polls

New Delhi: To keep a check on flow of illicit liquor ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Delhi Election Commission today directed the excise department to conduct monitoring of retail shops where daily sales figure has seen a sudden increase of 30 per cent or more in comparison to lastmonth.

The commission also instructed the officials to take strict action against such shops including cancellation of licences if found involved in wrong doings.

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In a meeting of officials of excise department today, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev directed them to identify and conduct close monitoring of sensitive liquor shops located in slum area, away from main road and in interior rural pockets.

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“A special focus will also be on shops having more than 30 per cent increase in sale on a day between March 15 (date of notification) to April 10 (polling date) as compared to average daily sale of February, 2013,” said Dev.

Shops having liquor stock more than 50 per cent on March 1 as compared to corresponding date last year are also under scanner, he added.

Excise officials have also been asked strict action against the use of tokens or coupons for sale of liquor and ensure proper maintenance of brand wise stock register in all retail shops, especially in respect to cheap brands.

Officials have been instructed to zero down on potential storage points for illegal liquor and conduct frequent police-patrolling and raids.

CCTV cameras surveillance has also been put in place while, officials are instructed to maintain video footage for 60 days.

The Excise department has also been asked to submit a list on bonded warehouses as well as retail outlets in Delhi along with their locations to Delhi’s Chief Electoral Office (CEO) as well as all Returning Officers (ROs) within 24 hours.

District Level Nodal Officers of Excise Department have been directed to submit reports to ROs on daily basis.

“A 24x7 Control Room will be set up by Excise Department to conduct daily monitoring of receipt and sale of retail shops, besides keeping a watch on stock position of retail shops,” said Dev

“An intensive vigil over inter-state movement of vehicles, especially to Faridabad. Gurgaon and Loni Border,” has also been ordered, said Dev, adding the department will maintain regular co-ordination among their counterparts in bordering States of Haryana and U.P

“Moreover, special enforcement will be deployed for check-post duties round the clock,” said Dev.

The department has so far seized 2,400 bottles of illicit liquor from Vijar Vihar and 480 bottles from Mangalpuri area.

PTI