State Excise Department Registers 923 cases, Arrests 843
Katewadi: "Since October 1, 2024, the state excise department has registered 923 cases and arrested 843 people in the district ahead of the assembly elections.
In this operation, 96 vehicles and valuables worth Rs 3.51 crore have been seized," said Superintendent of State Excise Pune Division C B Singh. Rajput said.
As many as 50 proposals under Section 93 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949 have been filed with the magistrate concerned against the culprits in the district.
Bonds of good behaviour are being taken from them and so far bonds amounting to Rs 9.80 crore have been taken in 12 cases. During this period, two cases of liquor manufactured by the state of Goa have come to light and in these cases, valuables worth Rs 3,64,170 have been seized.
In the run-up to the elections, the State Excise Commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi, District Collector of Pune district and District Election Officer Suhas Divase; Under the guidance and instructions of Joint Commissioner of State Excise Enforcement and Vigilance Prasad Surve, various teams have been formed ahead of the Assembly elections from October 1, 2024.
These teams are taking action against all hand kiln manufacturing, transportation, sale, as well as dhabas and illegal toddy trade in the district.
18 check-posts to check illegal liquor transportation
A total of 18 temporary check posts are being set up in the district to check the movement of illegal liquor.
Care is being taken to ensure that illegal liquor is not transported to lure voters, licences to sell liquor will be turned on and off within the stipulated time and liquor is not sold to minor customers. Also, licences to sell liquor are being regularly monitored.
Dry days from November 18 to 20 and 23
The district has declared a dry day from 6 pm on November 18, 2024 till the polling process is over on November 20, 2024 and the official results of all assembly constituencies are declared on November 23, 2024, the day of counting.
Liquor licenses in the district will remain closed during this period. Superintendent Charan Singh Rajput has appealed to anyone with information regarding the production, sale, transportation or distribution of illicit liquor, to contact toll free number 18002339999 and state excise, Pune Division Superintendent's office on 020-26127321.
