By-polls in Palghar will leave parts of Thane dry

Local excise department has issued orders to around 58 liquor vending establishments including38 permit rooms, 13 beer shops and 2 country bars to remain closed from 6 pm onwards on May 26 till the conclusion of polls on May 28 and again on counting day

The by-elections to the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency is all set to have a spillover effect in the adjacent Thane district, as the administration has declared dry days in some parts of the Kashimira-Mira Road belt which fall within the five kilometer radius along the borderline of the poll-bound region.

While elections are slated to be held on May 28, the results would be out on May 31. In response to directives from the district administration, the local excise department has issued orders to around 58 liquor vending establishments including- 38 permit rooms, 13 beer shops and 2 country bars to remain closed from 6 pm onwards on May 26 till the conclusion of polls on May 28 and again on counting day which has been scheduled on May, 31.

This apart from restric- tions on three toddy shops in the city.

“Strict vigilance will be maintained to ensure cent percent compliance of the orders,” confirmed an excise officer. The by-poll in Palghar has been necessitated due to the demise of its sitting parliamentarian Chintaman Wanga in January this year. Apart from a ban on sales, the transportation and storage of liquor has also been prohibited to ensure free, fair and peaceful election, officials said.