In view of lok Sabha elections in the State, round-the-clock vigil is being maintained on county-made, IMFl liquor and beer distilleries.
For this, CCTV cameras have been installed on exit gates of every unit.Besides, storehouses are also being monitored round the clock. Flying squads and static surveillance teams have been constituted for monitoring.During last 72 hours, 24,687 litre illicit liquor has been seized in the State, 3,765 cases registered and 3 thousand 333 persons arrested. The Excise Department has recovered fine of about Rs 8 lakh in these cases.
During the period, Excise Department conducted 5,889 raids, seized 18,888 litre country-made liquor, registered 3,033 cases, arrested 2612 persons and recovered Rs 6.51 lakh fine from them.For seizing IMFl, the department conducted 5,884 raids, seized 2,249 litre IMFl, registered 315 cases and recovered Rs 34,201 fine.For recovery of beer, the department conducted 5,864 raids, seized 669 litre beer and arrested 98 persons. Office of the Excise Commissioner has asked all district excise officers to monitor liquor shops 5 days before polling.
Regular inspections are being undertaken of the shops where sale of liquor has increased by over 50 percent as compared to last lok Sabha elections.Additional Excise Commissioner DR Jauhari has been appointed nodal officer for lok Sabha elections by Election Commission.Meanwhile, the Election Commission has directed polling staff to behave sensitively with disabled voters. letters to this effect have been sent to Chief Electoral Officers of all States.
It has been directed that polling staff should ensure that disabled voters are allowed to cast their votes by entering voting compartment without standing in queue.All possible assistance should be provided to them at polling booth. Permanent or temporary ramp facility should also be provided so that disabled voters can reach polling booth on wheelchair.During training, polling staff should be informed that as per Conduction of Election Rules, a blind voter can accompany a helper for voting if he desires so. Directives have also been given to pay special attention to hearing and speech impaired voters.