AP excise authorities to ensure liquor supply during Sankranti festivities

Vijayawada:AP excise authorities have issued directions to officials to ensure uninterrupted supply of liquor to ensure a safe, lawful and incident-free Sankranti festival in the state. Stock availability will be monitored at all depots round the clock, so that guzzlers do not run short of booze.

In this regard, Excise director Nishant Kumar and Excise Enforcement director Rahul Dev Sharma organised a state-wide conference with deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and district prohibition and excise officers and station house officers on Friday.

Following the conference, authorities issued directives to be followed by officials during the Sankranti festival. Accordingly, all deputy commissioners will ensure uninterrupted supply of IMFL and beer through liquor depots to all the licensees. This is to avoid complaints from the public about unavailability of liquor.

Officials have been asked to monitor round-the-clock stock availability at all depots. They will coordinate with suppliers and maintain adequate stocks of liquor.

At the same time, excise personnel will carry out raids against illicit liquor operators in villages to check production, sale and consumption of ID liquor, spurious liquor and adulterated toddy.

Authorities are strengthening surveillance by deploying mobile patrolling parties on borders and activating excise check posts to prevent inflow of non-duty paid liquor and spurious products from neighbouring states.

Sale of toddy will be monitored to ensure that it is not adulterated with drugs and chemicals. Steps are also being initiated to control the supply, use, distribution and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.