Mohali: Following the orders of Excise Commissioner Punjab Varun Roojam IAS and Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, Aashika Jain, the Excise Department has kickstarted a massive search operation in the district to curb the illegal flow of liquor in wake of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Divulging details, the Assistant Commissioner, Excise, Ashok Chalhotra said, “We are keeping a strict vigil on the porous borders along Chandigarh/Haryana to ensure that there is no illegal flow of liquor to the district” by adding that the Department in coordination with District Police has earmarked 26 interstate entry points towards Mohali district from Chandigarh, Ambala & Panchkula side.
He further stated that the department has started massive search operations by pushing in four dedicated teams besides four additional excise inspectors in the district.
The teams have been checking dhabas, eateries and restaurants besides random checks of vehicles to ensure that no liquor could be served without valid licenses at these points besides transportation without legitimate permits.
The district has registered 87 FIRs from March 01, 2023, to March 20, 2024, by recovering 13932 bottles of liquor and 285 Kg of Lahan, he further added.
He said the department teams have been working round the clock to ensure free, fair and transparent elections to keep check on the illegal flow of liquor.