Dry days in dry State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30 2017: In connection with the ensuing 11th State Legislative Assembly election to be held on March 4 and 8, Commissioner of Manipur Excise Department, Sudhan R has announced that voting and counting day of the election will be Dry Days in the State.

Manipur is already a dry State, after the then RK Ranbir Government passed an Act in the Assembly to declare Manipur as a dry State in 1991 .

This was conveyed by DSP Excise Imphal West, Irungbam Jatishwar who is also a Nodal Officer of Excise Department during a media briefing held at his office chamber today.

Before making the announcement, 700 litres of local-made liquor were destroyed by setting it on fire before the media persons.

Jatishwar said that the liquor was seized by officers and personnel of Sekmai Excise Post in the last two months.

He informed that the Department has been able to collect a fine of Rs 50000 from those who were arrested along with the liquor and the amount has been kept as accrued revenue of the State.

The total amount of the seized liquor in the local market is worth around Rs 70000, he added.

He maintained that the Department was instructed by Election Commission of India (ECI) to check sale of liquor in the State following the announcement of election code of conduct.

He claimed that the Department has collected a sum of Rs 11, 85, 700 fine from alcohol sellers from the day of the announcement till January 29 .

The market value of the seized liquor is worth around Rs 4, 95, 511, he said.

Jatishwar cautioned that those who defy the order of Dry Day will be kept in judicial custody for three months along with fine as punishment for the offence.

He further informed that the Department has formed a Special Enforcement Staff led by one officer from each of the districts to carry out drive and check sale of liquor in all the districts under the supervision of Nodal Officer, State Excise Department.

He appealed to the people to extend support and cooperation to the steps taken by the Department to make the coming election free and fair.

Highlighting the problems faced by the Department, Jatishwar said that the present total staff of the Department is 402 against the required 705 .

He lamented that the vacant posts created after the retirement of staff are yet to be filled up.

He added that four vehicles of the Department are off the roads since 2009 due to which the Special Enforcement Staff is facing shortage of vehicles.

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