Patna, July 28: The liquor shops would be on the Election Commission of India’s radar during the upcoming Assembly elections.

Stressing the need to curb the use of liquor for luring voters, the poll panel has asked the authorities in the state to maintain video surveillance (install CCTV cameras) on all the stocking points.

They would also have to keep a close watch on the production figures of various spirits.

There are 5,500 licensed liquor shops in the state. They cater to the demand of liquor of various kinds, including country-made, spicy and India made foreign liquor (IMFL), a source in the state excise department said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), in a detailed instruction to the state chief electoral officer, has asked the authorities to maintain a strict vigil on the production, storage and distribution of liquor during the election period with the help of the excise and police officers.

A senior excise department official said on Tuesday: “The ECI has asked the state authorities to closely monitor the production of IMFL, beer and country liquor with reference to the production figures in the previous year. The licensed stockists should, in no case, be allowed to exceed the permissible limit.”

According to the ECI’s directive, all major stock points should be placed under video surveillance round the clock and excise pickets with policemen should be posted there. In addition, the poll panel has asked the enforcement agencies to closely monitor the inter-state movement of vehicles to check transportation of illicit liquor. 

“Though the issue was discussed during the recent two-day visit of a three-member poll panel team, a detailed circular has been issued specifically for the purpose,” the officer said. 

Excise commissioner-cum-secretary Rahul Singh was present at the meeting. 

Assistant excise commissioner Anand Kumar said CCTV cameras would be installed at all the stocking points shortly in view of the ECI’s guidelines. “A letter has been sent to the godown mangers, asking them to complete the installation of CCTV cameras at the earliest,” he told The Telegraph.

A separate letter has also been sent to the district magistrates and the superintendents of police from the office of the excise commissioner with regard to the ECI’s guidelines The officers have been asked to intensify raids on illegal liquor vends in the state.