In view of the Assembly elections on May 16, the Excise department has set up 10 check posts at the bordering areas of Puducherry to keep tab on the movement of liquor.
Abel Rozario, Deputy Commissioner of Excise said the check posts had been set up in the bordering areas of Kanagachettikulam, Gorimedu, Tirukannur, Maducarai, Madagadipet, Mullodai, Soriyankuppam, Edayarpalayam, Sedarapet and Iyyankuttipalayam.
Equipped with CCTVs
The check-posts equipped with Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) are manned by the police in collaboration with the Excise department personnel. It will help monitor movement of liquor across the city.
Mr. Rozario said the department conducted surprise checks at over 100 liquor outlets in Puducherry since the model code of conduct came into force and seized over 1800 bottles of expired liquor. Several of the liquor bottles had completed their date of expiry in April last year.
The department also seized over 2500 litres of arrack, 840 litres of beer and 178 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) which were being smuggled to various locations.
The Deputy Commissioner said the distribution of liquor to the voters during election is an electoral offence.
The ECI has instructed to monitor the production, storage and distribution of liquor during election period.
The ECI has also directed to furnish a daily report in this regard.
The representatives of distilleries, wholesale and retail liquor outlets were asked to maintain stock register with dealer wise, brand wise and pack-wise details on dispatch of liquor stock.
