In a bid to ensure alcohol-free Panchayat elections in Odisha, the State Excise Department has formed special squads in different districts.
As per the department sources, raids will be conducted at various places across the State ahead of the forthcoming Panchayat polls.
“Check-posts will be set up in border areas to curb illegal activities such as liquor smuggling from other states. Liquor shops will be closed 48 hours ahead of voting,” said Deputy Commissioner of Excise Department, Ram Chandra Palta, in a press conference on Sunday.
The department has also formed 33 mobile squads to conduct surprise raids on illicit breweries and monitor the activities of previous offenders and criminals, he said.
“Any complaint on illegal liquor activities can be filed at Toll-Free No. 18003456713. We have set up control rooms in all the districts of the State. The department will take prompt action after investigating each and every complaint to ensure a free and fair election,” said Palta.
Notably, as many as 27,107 excise cases were registered in Odisha last year (till December). As many as 22,355 persons were also arrested in this connection. The Excise Department also seized 17, 32,000 liter of illicit country liquor from their possession.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)