PANJIM: Progressive confiscation of alcohol during the current election season has registered a total seizure to Rs 8.44 crore since the enforcement of the code of conduct from March 10 till May 7, 2019. Moreover Rs 2.85 crore was seized within the last fortnight.
However, there hasn’t been a raid where any candidate, political leader or its workers have been caught red-handed distributing or illegally stocking liquor.
“As of now, we have not come across any such case in which some candidate or voter has been caught red-handed for the offense of inducement of voter by means of liquor,” Commissioner Amit Satija told Herald.
The Excise Department has already received applauds for its highest seizure of IMFL and beer worth Rs 5.30 lakh on a single day on April 30.
As per progressive seizure report last updated on May 7, around 1.32 lakh litres of different types of liquor has been seized and its value is calculated at Rs 8.44 crore. Interestingly, the gross value has already crossed confiscations made in the 2017 State elections.
In about 250 cases of violation of the code registered so far, the department has already issued notices seeking reply from the concerned.
The department has deployed 12 flying squads in each taluka in addition to which, three special flying squads have been posted at the check-posts to thwart any attempt of smuggling. Another five flying squads are posted at the head quarters and during the crucial 48 hours before the Panjim by-poll voting on May 19, checks by the flying squads will be further strengthened.
As a result of these stringent measures, the excise team made the biggest seizure of 960 bottles of IMFL and 1,200 cans of Kingfisher strong beer, each of which weighed 500 ml. Intercepted at Patradevi check-post, the illegal consignment packed in boxes in guise of wooden furniture polish was being carried in a Maharashtra registration truck from Margao.
The Election Commission of India’s seizure report also includes Rs 2.76 crore cash and around Rs 35 lakh drugs among others.
