Liquor Sale Restrictions Imposed in Pune District Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

Pune: As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching, the Pune district administration has started taking proactive measures to avoid any irregularities during the election period. As a part of this, the district administration has prohibited the sale of liquor in the district during the election process. District Collector and District Election Officer, Dr. Suhas Diwase, issued orders detailing the restrictions on liquor sales and consumption during the electoral process.

Effective immediately, new licenses for the sale of domestic and foreign liquor, beer, and wine, as well as processes related to license amendments, transfers, and renewals, have been suspended until the conclusion of the code of conduct period. Additionally, a complete declaration of Dry Day has been enforced across the district, commencing 48 hours prior to the commencement of voting and extending until the completion of the voting process, including the day of vote counting.

Specifically, for the Baramati Constituency, liquor sales will be prohibited from 6 p.m. on May 5th until the culmination of polling on May 7th. Similarly, in the Pune, Maval, and Shirur Lok Sabha constituencies, liquor sales will cease from 6 p.m. on May 11th until the conclusion of voting on May 13th. Furthermore, on the day of vote counting, slated for June 4th, all liquor shops and establishments will remain closed throughout the day.

In addition to the general restrictions, stringent measures will be enforced in Baramati and the three other constituencies, where foreign liquor bars, shops, and toddy centres will be shuttered, and traffic restrictions will be imposed 48 hours preceding polling. Only licensed establishments will be permitted to possess liquor during this period, with sales and transportation completely prohibited.

The order emphasises that any violation of these regulations will result in strict legal repercussions in accordance with the Maharashtra Liquor Prohibition Act 1949 and its relevant provisions against the accused.