To put a fight against the corona pandemic, the Government has ordered for closure of the both on and off sales of foreign liquor in the State; and the Keonjhar district excise authorities went on ordering for sealing of the all licensed foreign liquor shops to implement the Government order.
But after some days, it was found that the sealing of the shops is just eyewash and some corrupt officials of the department are encouraging the dishonest foreign liquor owners to sell liquor.
This came to light on Wednesday at about 11 in the morning when Excise SI Nirakar Dehury reached Joda town to reseal a shop located near Mahaveer Square. It was alleged that the shop owner in order to indulge in illegal sale of liquor had broken the seal of the shop and then informed the concerned official that the seal had been broken by some miscreant.
Accordingly, Dehury reached the spot. As per rules, the SI should have made a stock verification of the shop, inquired into the other circumstantial evidences and lodged a complaint in the local police station. But instead of observing any such formalities, he closed the matter by just resealing the shop putting a question mark on the action of the Excise Department.
When contacted, the Keonjhar Excise Superintendent said the Champua Excise Inspector has been ordered to inquire to the matter and action would be taken against whosoever violated the law.