The Excise department offers no solace to any tipplers hoping to stay a little longer into the night at their favourite watering hole during the New Year season.
Despite the rush in bars and Bevco outlets during the season, all outlets will have to be shut at 10 p.m. sharp, Excise officials said.
“There are rules fixed by the government. All outlets have to be shut by 10 p.m. and we will take action against those violating the rules,” said Excise Assistant Commissioner M.J. Joseph.
The department has been carrying out a special drive against illegal sale of alcohol and drugs since December 8, which will go on till the first week of the New Year.
Twenty-four hour teams have been deployed at the entry points into the district to check arrival of spurious liquor and drugs. A striking force has also been constituted to take quick action upon receiving information.
“In the month of December alone, we have registered 150 cases under the Abkari Act and NDPS act. This is a very good number compared to previous years,” said Mr. Joseph. The department also seized eight vehicles during the drive, including a 7m-long boat.
For a clean, healthy city
With the bird flu scare hitting Ernakulam and nearby Alappuzha district, the Ernakulam Rural Police are cracking down on those dumping waste along roadsides to ensure proper hygiene. Late on Monday night, the Puthencruz police spotted a man in an autorickshaw bringing chicken waste to be dumped on the roadside.
He was promptly detained by the police and a case was registered against him.
The police have also requested the public to provide information about incidents of waste dumping in public places.
Heavy police cover for New Year’s Eve
The city police have a very busy New Year’s Eve ahead of them with officials ordering heavy security cover in the city to ensure that revelries do not go out of control. Police are also taking extra precautions in the light of the recent blasts in Bangalore.
Close to 1,000 police officers are being deployed in key spots such as Fort Kochi and Marine Drive. Patrol teams have also been given detailed plans of action with control rooms working to coordinate security measures.
