Panaji: The State Excise department has
begun intensive crackdown on the illegal stocking of liquor
ahead of the March 3 Goa polls as the Election Commission of
India (ECI) has feared use of alcohol to woo voters.
Excise Commissioner P S Reddy told reporters on Thursday that
flying squads, one for each taluka, have been formed, which
has been raiding the suspected premises after receiving the
complaints.
"We have been finding illegally stocked liquor at many
premises and cases under Excise Law are booked against them,"
he said refusing to attribute the hoarding to any political
party.
Reddy said they have been frequently receiving complaints
about illegal storage of liquor but till date not a single
complaint has mentioned name of any political party.
The department has been sending regular report to
district collector, who is also district election officer
since code of conduct is enforced in the state.
The ECI little before announcing the dates for Goa polls
had said that the free flow of liquor could be an issue in the
state which is known for cheap booze.
Reddy said the revenue collected from liquor suddenly
drops down during the election period.
"During 2007 elections, the revenue had plummeted by
almost 15 per cent. We expect similar phenomenon this time
too," he said.
"One reason for drop in revenue could be that people
stock the liquor in advance," he quipped.
PTI
