PANJIM: As the State is observing dry days from February 2 evening till noon on February 5, in view of Saturday’s elections, the Excise Department has cracked down on five liquor outlets for violating the rule.
As per details provided by excise officials, the flying squads booked five violations in Salcete (3 cases), and one each in Canacona and Bardez. “The liquor outlets were operating despite the dry days. We have booked these cases and issued the respective owners notices for proceedings,” an official told Herald.
Besides static teams patrolling the areas, the department has deputed two flying squads in each taluka consisting of one excise inspector and two excise guards. As on February 2, the sleuths have seized 26300.785 litres of liquor worth Rs 34.88 lakh approximately.
The South district has seen a larger number of raids, with 2163 raids conducted, while 2064 raids were carried out in the North district.
A total of 319 cases have been booked with the highest 87 cases being in Bardez followed by 47 in Canacona, 32 in Salcete, 28 in Tiswadi, 26 in Sanguem, 21 in Mormugao, 20 in Quepem, 19 in Sattari, 18 in Ponda while 15 cases were booked in Pernem and the six cases in Bicholim.
