NGO objects to poll-time discount on liquor

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 19

Dodging the Election Commission directions barring use of liquor to influence voters, supporters of some political parties have now hit upon a new ploy by offering liquor to voters at a discounted rate at liquor vends.

Demanding a stringent check on such sale of liquor in villages, a Chandigarh-based NGO has complained to the Election Commission, seeking action against the people operating these liquor vends.

Harman Singh Sidhu, president of NGO ArriveSAFE, alleged the people associated with the ruling SAD-BJP alliance were operating most of the liquor vends in a direct or an indirect way across the state.

“They offer a discount of up to 50 per cent to their well wishers in the villages which is not only violation of the excise policy but it’s also a last-ditch effort to influence voters with liquor,” Harman said.

He demanded that the Election Commission should cancel the licence of liquor traders who were trying to influence voters in this way. He also said the sale of liquor should be brought under the direct supervision of an independent agency till the day of voting.

Citing example of Sahauran village in SAS Nagar, 23 km from Chandigarh, he said SAD supporters were offering as much as 50 per cent discount on liquor.

Saying there were 6,400 vends in Punjab, Harman said the state was at the second number in the country in terms of liquor vends per thousand population.

Urging the Election Commission to take note of the problem, Harman said dummy customers could be sent at the such liquor vends to verify the veracity of his claims. As per the excise policy, there was no provision of billing of liquor sale in Punjab hence no other evidence could be provided, he said.

Denying the role of any Akali leader in discounted sale of liquor, SAD MLA from Bathinda Sarup Chand Singla said, “Neither have I asked anyone to offer discount nor I am aware of this practice. I demand that the Election Commission should take this complaint seriously and look into the matter.”

Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab, Varun Roojam said offering of discount by liquor vends was illegal and the department would take strict action in this regard. “I am yet to get any complaint in this regard,” Roojam said.