Jamshedpur : In a move to check sale of illicit and spurious liquor, the state excise department has launched a drive in view of festival of colours Holi.
Police and excise department have toughened the vigil in the entire district to counter such activities. Sale of liquor has been restricted on March 5 and 6.
Officials of the excise department have started carrying out surprise checking of stocks of the licensed liquor shops and also looking into whether the shop owners are doing back-door sale of liquor.
Official of, Excise Department, said that he has asked his officers to carry random inspection and ensure
whether the liquor was being sold over the counter was having the same batch number that the liquor
shop owners have given in their papers before the department.
“During Holi sale of liquor from the retail shops goes up manifold. It has been seen from the records that just during 48 hours before the festival of colour, the liquor shop owners sell stuff worth over Rs 5 crores, which is during ordinary time hardly cross the Rs 1 crore within the same period of time.
Taking advantage of the craze for liqour among the people, some unscrupulous shop-owners tend to sell
duplicate liquor,” said he said.
He stated that the surprise inspection will continue even during the night and if any shop-owner is found
selling the duplicate liquor, then he will stand to face the music.
At Jamshedpur there are 98 Indian Make Foreign Liquor (IMFL) licensed shops, 51 country-made liqour shop and 15 spicy liquor shops.
When contacted, a police official said that police department is prepared to render all its support to the excise department in this issue.
The liquor shops and bars will remain closed on March 5 and 6 . Transportation of liquor too is banned
during this period. The administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure peace during Holi.
Meanwhile sale of liquor soared across the city since early on Tuesday as tipplers rushed to stock up for the
dry day in view of Holi. Even on the occasion of dry day the sale of liquor immense.
All varieties of liquor, including brandy, whiskey, rum and gin, came for a premium at outlets of the city.