Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: As per the directive issued by the State Election Commission (SEC), yesterday the Odisha Excise department issued notice on ban on sale and purchase of liquor during the upcoming Panchayat polls. Based on the orders given by the Excise Commissioner, Prasant Kumar Senapati to all district collectors, there will no buying and selling of alcohol from 2 days prior to the polls till the day following the elections. Also Liquor sales will be prohibited in Hotels, guest houses, eateries, and any other public and private places coming under the block or the Zilla Parishad zone.
Along with, the Excise department has also given instructions to the district collectors to ensure prohibition of purchase, sale and movement of excise commodities from 48 hours ahead of the Panchayat elections till the following day. Additionally, there will be a strict check on all liquor business by the Excise department during the elections following which there will be issue of another guideline to the effect soon.
