No 'slip system' must be allowed in sale of liquor: Rajasthan chief electoral officer

JAIPUR: Rajasthan chief electoral officer (CEO) Anand Kumar on Wednesday directing the departmental nodal officers to monitor daily sale of liquor in their respective areas during the

Lok Sabha polls

, also asked them to ensure that no 'slip system' is allowed in the sale of liquor. He also directed the state-level banking committees to closely monitor transactions above Rs 1 lakh and issued directives to the banks to open separate bank accounts of the candidates.


He also instructed the officials that monitoring should be done to curb retail sale of liquor from godowns and to ensure that, strengthening the 'informer mechanism' and increasing the number of check-posts must be done.

According to sources present in the meeting, the department was also contemplating measures like purchase of liquor in the cities against proper billing, storing of mobile numbers of the customers in the liquor shops (to serve as records) and also making cashless transaction mandatory for the sale of liquor.

These suggestions came up in the meeting to ensure curbing the sale of liquor in the run up to the

Lok Sabha elections

in the state. But, later these suggestions were not approved considering the non-viability of the options.

"Liquor sale on the basis of slips should not be allowed during the model code of conduct," Kumar said in a meeting of nodal officers here.

Lok Sabha polls in Rajasthan would be held on April 29 and March 6, which are the fourth and fifth phases of the seven-phase parliamentary election.

Kumar also directed the the Income Tax Department to constitute teams to monitor the flow of cash at airports, apart from constituting teams at district levels. He also asked the officials of the home department to make proper arrangements to ensure law and order situation, to create a district-wise flying squad, and monitor the flow of cash.

The CEO also instructed railway officials to keep a strict vigil on the flow of cash, liquor and narcotics. He further directed them to inform the Income Tax department immediately on seizure of more than Rs. 10 lakh. He also asked the officials of the commercial tax department to set up district-wise teams. "Heavy sales of wholesale goods closely monitored," he said.

Kumar further asked the police officials to take daily reports from the flying squads and videography of major events must be done. He also said check-posts must be put under CCTV surveillance and videography must also be done. He further said people should be made aware about objectionable mobile messages.