Last Updated on April 29, 2020 at 8:39 am
In what has come as a surprise to many, but not to the boozers in Jammu, a large number of liquor vends and wine shops are selling alcohol despite the orders by government against the same.
Now after the issue has been reported with the office of Lt Governor, Excise Department has swung into action and has ordered a probe. The issue came to the notice when complaints poured in that many wine shops in Jammu were selling liquor at exorbitant rates.
The Excise Department has ordered for an audit of all the liquor vends in Jammu and constituted eight teams to conduct the survey. The officer of the rank of Excise Inspector will lead each team and conduct the audit to ascertain the stock inside a liquor vend in his area.
Liquor vends and wine shops were ordered to shut their business till the national lockdown is in place. The move had come to avoid people gathering at these vends that could have increased the danger of Coronavirus spreading in community.
The Excise Commissioner has issued orders on April 6 and April 10 that all wine shops must remain closed toll further orders.
These wine shops were also taking the advantage of the fact that the excise officials were not able to move out freely due to the prevailing situation and threat of spread of the virus.
Deputy Excise Commissioner (executive) in an order said that as per reports some of the licensees were taking out the liquor in stocks in Jammu.
A total of 34 vends will be surveyed by the teams constituting of 20 officials.
It has been learnt that many complaints were filed with the Lt Governor’s office about the sale of liquor in open market during the lockdown. The teams of the Excise Department will also verify the CCTV footage of vends.
