Pune District Bans Alcohol Sales for Lok Sabha Election Period, Check Dry Days Dates
Pune, 28th March 2024: Amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stringent restrictions on alcohol sales have been put into effect. The District Collector’s Office has issued orders mandating the closure of liquor outlets on specific dates across Baramati, Maval, Pune, and Shirur constituencies.
The State Excise Department, along with the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerates, and District Police Superintendent’s offices have been duly notified regarding these directives.
On May 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and June 4th, which coincide with polling and vote counting days, the sale of alcohol will be prohibited. Any breach of these directives will be the responsibility of the local authorities, as emphasized in the orders. This move aligns with the Model Code of Conduct set forth by the Election Commission for the Lok Sabha general elections.
To adhere to the Election Commission’s guidelines, the days of polling and vote counting have been designated as dry days. District Collector Suhas Diwase has invoked Section 135(C) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to issue this order. As per the directive, alcohol sales will be banned 48 hours prior to the scheduled conclusion of each polling day. Furthermore, orders regarding the declaration of dry days during polling and vote counting, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, have been duly issued.
In the third phase of polling in Pune district, Baramati Lok Sabha Constituency, and in the fourth phase, polling will occur in Maval, Pune, and Shirur Lok Sabha Constituencies. While all domestic and foreign liquor manufacturing units within these constituencies will remain operational, they are prohibited from serving alcohol on the designated dry days. Violations of these orders will be met with strict action under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, and relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, with jurisdictional inspectors bearing full responsibility, as per District Collector Suhas Diwase’s directives.
The closure schedule for alcohol sales in the respective constituencies is as follows:
Baramati Lok Sabha Constituency:
– Closure Day: May 5, 2024, from 6 p.m. onwards
– Full-day closure on May 6, 2024 (day before polling concludes)
– Polling day: May 7, 2024, until 6 p.m.
– Day after polling day: June 4, 2024, full day (Vote-counting day)
Pune-Maval-Shirur Lok Sabha Constituencies:
– Closure Day: May 11, 2024, from 6 p.m. onwards
– Full-day closure on May 12, 2024 (day before polling concludes)
– Polling day: May 13, 2024, until 6 p.m.
– Day after polling day: June 4, 2024, full day (Vote-counting day)
