To ensure strict compliance of provisions of the state excise policy regarding observance of timings of liquor vends and to check sale of liquor to minors, Punjab Excise and Taxation Department on Wednesday conducted surprise checking at 410 liquor vends across the state.
During this drive, 83 liquor vends in different districts were found flouting the instructions and provisions of excise policy to whom notices have been issued for reply by Thursday.
“On the directions of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who is also Excise and Taxation Minister, department have constituted various raiding parties comprising officers who have conducted surprise checking at 410 liquor shops during early morning from 6 am to 9 am before scheduled opening of vends,” said an official spokesperson.
He said that the various teams have found 83 vends opened before the scheduled time, that is 9 am, which is in contravention of the prescribed regulations.
Giving more details, he said that a total of 31 liquor vends in ludhiana violated the norms whereas there are 13 such vends in Patiala, four each in Sri Muktsar Sahib and Hoshiarpur, two each in in Bathinda, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Mohali, Rupnagar, Moga and Kapurthala, three in Jalandhar, five in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, seven in Sangrur and one each in Pathankot and Gurdaspur.
The Spokesperson said that strict action would be initiated as per the excise policy against the delinquent liquor vendors opening their shops before stipulated time.
He warned that more checking would also be conducted in future so as the vendors should adhere to the policy norms.