For those downing a peg or two daily, it is sure to be a dampener due to dry days declared by the Election Commission (EC) prior 48 hours on polling day across the country. During 48 hours before the end of polling in any constituency, sale and distribution of spirit based liquor; intoxicant or any substance of the same nature will be prohibited in hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and any other public and private place on dry days declared by the commission. Even, non proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants should also not be permitted to serve liquor on these days even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor.
Besides, storage of liquor by individuals should be curtailed during dry days. Interestingly, more dry days and stringent checks on carrying liquor have left revelers dispirited. In fact Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal will go for voting in all seven phase which means more dry day for tipplers. As per EC data, 61.29 lakh litre liquor worth Rs 129.86 crore has been seized across the country till March 30 after the imposition of model code of conduct.
Officials said that in Delhi, there will be seven dry days till May 23. In April, there are three official dry days — Ram Navami (on April 14), Mahavir Jayanti (April 17) and Good Friday (April 19) during which the sale of liquor will be prohibited. The sale of liquor will be banned 48 hours before the national capital goes to poll and so, no liquor shop will be open from 6 pm onwards on May 10 and the ban will go on till 6 pm on May 12. Besides, May 23 (the counting day of Lok Sabha polls) will be also observed as dry day.
Officials of excise department said that there are 800 liquor shops in Delhi and an average per day sale is estimated over Rs 10-14 crore. The State Government has set up 14 excise team to keep a close eye on the sale of liquor.
Due to polls, there will be five dry days In Maharashtra. Maharashtra will go to poll in four phases, which means that different cities in the state will observe dry days on different dates. According to EC officials. the rules state that alcohol sale should be banned in 5 km periphery if the elections are being held in the neighbouring state. However, no such rule is applicable if a neighbouring district is going to poll.
Liquor shops in Mumbai will be shut on April 27 (6 pm onwards), on April 28th the sale of alcohol will be banned for the whole day due to elections. April 29th will see a liquor sale ban till 6 pm approximately. The first day of May will be a dry day as it'll be a state holiday due to Maharashtra Diwas. Additionally, May 23, election counting day, will also be observed as a dry day.
There will be three dry days in Goa as the state will go on poll on April 23 which will be observed as a dry day while there April 21 and 22 will be dry days. The liquor shops will be closed on May 23rd as the election results will be announced.
"The EC has directed for strict compliance of legal provisions. This system will also be followed on counting day as it is also declared dry day under the laws. During the counting day, sale and serving of liquor will not be permitted in shops, hotels, restaurants and clubs," the EC said in its directive to states.
Punjab will go on poll on May 19 and there will be complete ban on sale of liquor on May 17 and 18. However, this has already hit the big, fat wedding plans in the State.
