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