With General Elections round the corner, State excise department is taking extensive measures to stop the illegal making and trade of liquor across Jharkhand.
In just eight days, more than 40,000 litres of illicit liquor has been seized from across the State in different raids.
“We started reporting to the election commission from March 18. Since then 42,345 litres of illicit liquor has been seized worth Rs. 17.11 lakh,” said excise commissioner,” Bhor Singh Yadav.
Of the total liquor seized, 1894 litres was foreign liquor, 39,820 litres country liquor and 631.5 litres was beer. Also, 226 persons were arrested and fine worth Rs. 7,09,200 was imposed during the time period of eight month.
“Illicit liquor is being seized from various parts of the district on a daily basis now. Directions for conducting raids have been given to all the districts,” the commissioner informed.
Yadav said that the flying squad and special task force of the excise department is working with the police and district administration as combined teams.
“Check posts have been set up in districts bordering with other States to ensure that there is no smuggling of liquor. The district administration officials are providing their complete support in the raids,” he said.
On Tuesday, a team led by Ranchi sub divisional officer, Garima Singh demolished three illegal alcohol distilleries, seized 500 litres of liquor and detained five people for selling illicit liquor. While the distilleries were located at Mayapur village at Ormanjhi police station area, illicit liquor was seized from Shalimar Bazaar in Dhurwa and Murga Bazaar in jagannathpur.
She said, "The raids were conducted based on tip offs. More such raids will be conducted on a regular basis."
Another raid was conducted by the SDO at Oraon Hotel in Piska More on March 25 where alcohol was being served illegally. Taking immediate action, the owner of the hotel was seized and the hotel sealed.
Similarly, on March 23, 46 cartons of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 3 lakh was seized in Jamshedpur from two different places by a team lead by Manoj Kumar, assistant commissioner of Jharkhand excise department, Jamshedpur division.