A senior excise officer said that his department has slapped Rs 34 lakhs on the liquor owners for overcharging so far in this financial year. “We are conducting surprise inspections at liquor shops from time to time. The errant vendors are being penalised too according to the law. If liquor vendors are caught overcharging for the first time, they are charged Rs 5000 in the form of penalty. If they repeat they are charged Rs 5000 or two percent of one month’s total security deposit, whichever is more. If they do the same for the third time they are charged Rs 5000 or three percent of one month’s total security deposit, whichever is more. likewise, the sixth time offenders are being black listed with the cancellation of their licenses. Things are improving on the ground with the measures being stringently implemented,” the officer added.