Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh excise authorities would keep a close tab on illegal transport and stocking of huge quantities of liquor and illicitly distilled liquor as the filing of nominations by the contestants began for the local body elections in the state on Friday.
The excise authorities have come up with an action plan to curb brewing, transport and sale of ID liquor. They have strengthened the inter-state border check posts mainly with Karnataka and also Goa as there is a likely chance for illegal transport of liquor.
However, with no major difference in the price of liquor between AP and Telangana and Tamil Nadu, there may not be any chance for illegal transport of liquor from these states into bordering areas in AP for the ensuing polls.
However, the tight vigil at the border check posts is expected to arrest any transport of liquor into the state. Mobile patrolling teams have also been deployed to keep a vigil on illegal movement of liquor.
The excise authorities are planning to deploy 148 excise SIs who took part in the passing out parade in Hyderabad in Telangana from AP for exposure to the excise offences and regulating unlawful activities after the Dasara festival in parts of the state.
As the norm stipulates, a person can possess up to three liquor bottles at a time without having a permit or licence. The authorities will keep a check on it and initiate action against those who flout the norm.
AP excise enforcement director Rahul Dev Sharma said, “We have strengthened inter-district and inter-state check posts and deployed patrolling teams to ensure no unauthorised liquor is
brought into AP from neighbouring states and we would also curb ID liquor to ensure that elections are held in a free and fair manner.”
Meanwhile, sources say that the state election commission has sent a communique to the excise authorities to regulate liquor sales corresponding to the same period last year, in order
to avoid its misuse to lure voters and also on implementation of dry days as per the norm that no liquor should be sold 48 hours before the ending of polling in coordination with the district collectors.
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