Despite Election Commission’s restriction, the liquor industry has not seen any decrease in demand. In fact, sales of alcohol in the past 15 days have equalled the average sales of alcohol in two months.
However, the Excise department has not yet ascertained the amount of liquor consumed this month. liquor shops have been kept shut after the election campaigning stopped on Sunday. To make up for the unavailability, people bought liquor in advance. long queues were seen in front of the liquor shops from Sunday morning.
Both country and foreign liquor shops in Indiramarket, Padmanabhpur, Jail Tiraha, Titurdih, Ganjpara were crowded with customers till 5 pm. Several poll contestants had stocked up before the polls as the Election Commission had issued strict warning against sales of liquor during elections.
According to the sources, 60 lakh litre alcohol has been sold after the imposition of model code of conduct. A three-member team has been formed by the commission to control sales and consumption of illegal alcohol.
In another incident, a car labelled ‘CG Government’ has been caught by the election commission flying squad with two carets of illegal liquor and misleading campaigning aides. Four men have been arrested in this regard.
liquor worth Rs3 lakh was seized on Monday from areas under Torwa, Seepat and Pathariya police stations. Accused have been booked under relevant sections of excise.