Excise department forms teams to check illegal flow of liquor

In an effort to curb the illegal flow of liquor during the wedding season, the Delhi government’s excise department has constituted about a dozen teams to crackdown against errant farmhouses and banquet halls in the capital.

A senior government official said the department has directed its district units and excise intelligence bureau to keep a strict vigil on banquet halls and farmhouses hosting wedding ceremonies and parties.

The official said they have received information that most organisers get a licence from the department to serve booze at banquet halls, motels and farmhouse, but to save money, they serve Haryana-made liquor which amounts to an offence.

“The department has formed several teams to check parties and functions, where liquor is being served, at all farm houses, motels and banquet halls. Besides legal cases, the government can also seal the entities found involved in such practices,” the official further said.

“It is also responsibility of owners of motels, farmhouses and banquet halls to check such illegal practice at their premises,” the official added.

The department officials have been directed to carry out a drive to check the premises of farmhouses, banquet halls and motels, where parties and functions are being hosted, across the national capital.

The official also said the sale of non-duty paid liquor is a major offence under the Delhi Excise Act and even its possession to a serious offence.