ULB Polls 2022: These days in Odisha declared ‘Dry Day’

Bhubaneswar: In view of the general polls to urban local bodies (ULBs) in Odisha on March 24, the State government declared five days from 5 PM on March 22 as ‘Dry Day’.

In a letter, State Excise Commissioner Ashish Kumar Singh directed the Collectors and District Magistrates to ensure no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of a like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place within a polling area during the period from 5 PM on March 22 to 26.

Also, liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments selling and serving liquor shall not be allowed to sell and serve liquor, the letter read.

“Non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants etc and hotels run by anyone even if they are issued different categories of licences for possession and supply of liqour shall also not be permitted to serve liquor on these days,” the letter stated.

The storage of liquor by individuals shall be curtailed during the Dry Day and the restrictions provided in the Excise Law on the storage of liquor in unlicenced premises shall be vigorously enforced.

The Excise, Police and Forest personnel were directed to prohibit clandestine movement of liquor from the areas where the restrictions not been in force. They can also conduct intensify joint raids to prevent liquor related issue.

It is worth to mention that the general election to 106 municipalities and NACs and three municipal corporations will be held from 8 AM to 5 PM on March 24, 2022. Vote counting and declaration of results will be on March 26, 2022.