As part of its campaign against manufacturing and distributing illicit liquor ahead of the assembly polls, the state excise department in Pune raided 169 illicit liquor dens and seized vehicles, liquor, and chemicals worth Rs11.58 lakh.
Between September 1 and September 15, the officials raided the dens, said Vijay Chinchalkar, superintendent, state excise, Pune.
The department has formed 21 teams to monitor the supply of illicit liquor in the 21 assembly constituencies in the district
“We have formed quick response teams for each constituency. This has been done to prevent untoward incidents during campaigns and on the day of voting,” Chinchalkar said. Each team is either headed by an inspector or a sub inspector and a constable, he said.
Officials will monitor the manufacturing of illicit liquor in the city. “We will carry out surprise checks at roadside dhabas,” he said.
During the Lok Sabha polls in March, the state excise department had registered 292 cases and seized liquor, chemicals and vehicles worth Rs21.48 lakh.