Cancaona excise register 30 liquor trade cases

CANACONA, APRIL 21
Strict surveillance on illegal liquor trade in the run-up to the parliamentary elections has reportedly led to the booking of 30 cases by Canacona excise officials.
It is learnt through local excise sources that 22 cases were registered at Polem check post alone from April 1, of which 10 cases were registered against individual persons on charges of illegal transporting liquor without permit, while others were registered against unknown persons.
Sources informed that eight cases were booked for non-maintenance of accounts, illegal sale of liquor at Shellim, Loliem, Poinguinim, Char-rasta, Chawdi and Gulem during the period. Sources further informed that cases are also registered against two wholesale liquor traders for similar offences in the taluka.
Meanwhile, the otherwise allegedly vulnerable safe-passages through forests and sea are reportedly at the strict surveillance of a flying squad ever since the election code had come into force.
According to Canacona Excise Inspector, Shripad Talaulikar, a Flying-Squad under the leadership of DySP Mhapne, ACF, RTO and Superintendent of Excise is keeping a strict surveillance of the alleged forest and sea routes, in addition to local excise watch against any illegal trade of liquor.
Due to the strict implementation of Election Commission guidelines to stop the alleged practice of allowing liquor to influence voters during this parliamentary elections, business at liquor bars and beach shacks were severally affected as most wholesale outlets remained closed since the code of conduct came into force.
On the other hand, black marketers reportedly made merry at the cost of local consumption by selling liquor at higher rates, while alcohol made backdoor entries at several functions during this period.