GUWAHATI, March 24 - To check the flow of liquor during the elections, retail and wholesale units have been directed to report daily stock positions and incidences of �abnormal lifting�.
�Following directions from the Election Commission, the retail and wholesale units have been directed to report the daily stock positions, which is being sent to the Election Commission on a daily basis. Details of illicit liquor seized are also being reported to the Election Commission on a daily basis,� an excise official told this newspaper.
The seizure reports will have to be sent to EC by 3 pm every day and it should contain the seizures made between 9 am of previous day and 9 am of the day of reporting.
The daily reporting has begun since the model code of conduct came into force and will continue till the elections are over.
The excise department has also asked the retailers and wholesalers to report incidences of �abnormal� and �suspicious� lifting of stock by any one. �The retailers and wholesalers will also have to furnish the detailed information of the person who placed the order.
Meanwhile, flying squads have been formed at the district and field level to check distribution of liquor in the run-up to the elections.
Three flying squads have been kept on standby at the Guwahati headquarters of the excise commissionerate. �No abnormal lifting of liquor has been detected so far. Surveillance will be stepped up once the campaign picks up,� the official said.
Additionally, the excise department has also provided two phone numbers for the public to register complaints. Complaints regarding illicit liquor can be lodged with the department at the toll free number 18003453545 or in the WhatsApp number 9435052381.
Official sources said that since the model code of conduct came into force, over 25,263 litres of illicit liquor have been seized in the State by police and excise teams.
