Odisha Govt Clamps Ban On Liquor Sale For Elections To Urban Civic Bodies; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The state government has declared 4 dry days for election to urban local bodies (ULBs) from March 22.

The office of Excise Commissioner, Cuttack, in a letter to all district collectors and magistrates on Tuesday, has told them to declare ‘dry day’ from 5 pm of March 22 to 26 in view of polling for ULB elections on March 24 and counting of votes on March 26.

“You are requested to ensure closure of licensed premises for retail sale of foreign liquor/lMFL/country liquor in the urban local bodies during the period from 5 pm of March 22 to 26,” the letter said.

As per the provisions of Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of like nature will be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, in the polling area during the period.

The Excise Commissioner also directed to impose following restrictions:

• No Liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments selling/serving liquor shall be permitted to sell/serve liquor to anyone on the prohibited days.
• Non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants etc. and hotels run by anyone, even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor, will not be permitted to serve liquor.
• The storage of liquor by individuals will be curtailed during the period and the restrictions provided in the Excise law on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises will be vigorously enforced.

Besides, steps may be taken to prohibit clandestine movement of liquor from the areas where the restrictions are not in force. Intensified joint raids by the personnel of Excise, Police, Forest departments may be conducted to prevent any liquor related issue, the letter stated.