Nuapada/Bhubaneswar: With the Nuapada Assembly Constituency by-election scheduled for November 11, enforcement agencies have intensified action against illegal excise activities in the district.
Acting on the directives of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, the Excise Department and district administration have stepped up surveillance and raids to curb the flow of illicit liquor and narcotics during the election period.
Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the local Excise Department has seized 86 liters of beer, 42 liters of foreign liquor, 6,963 liters of country liquor, 1,512 liters of outstill liquor, 60 kilograms of ganja, and 1,71,300 kilograms of mahua pouches, valued at approximately ₹1,20,03,756.
In addition to the contraband items, officials have also seized eight motorcycles and one four-wheeler allegedly used for illegal transportation of excise materials.
According to the Superintendent of Excise, Nuapada, a total of 242 cases have been registered and 134 persons have been arrested in connection with these offences so far.
The Chief Electoral Officer has instructed the district administration and Excise Department to maintain strict vigilance and completely prevent the movement of illegal excise goods in the run-up to polling day.
