Excise dept forms teams to check illegal flow of liquor

Aiming to check illegal flow of liquor during wedding season, the Delhi government’s excise department has formed about a dozen teams to launch 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 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 farmhouses, but to save money they serve Haryana-made liquor which amounts to an offence. 

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