Dry day today in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar: Liquor sale prohibited for 48 hours in run upto Lok Sabha polls 2024 in areas bordering Delhi — Check details

Dry days in Delhi NCR 2024: Liquor stores and bars selling alcohol will be shut on April 25 (Thursday) and till 6 pm or end of voting on April 26 (Friday)  due to the Lok Sabha polls in these constituencies. Dry days or prohibition on sale of liquor has been imposed by the Election Commission in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar and adjoining areas from April 25 to April 26, during which liquor sales will be prohibited in restaurants, bars, and liquor shops across these regions, so that voters are not influenced by distribution of alcohol and alcoholic drinks and free-and-fair election is held. 

Dry days in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Noida and Ghaziabad 

Apart from the usual festivals where the sale of liquor and alcohol is prohibited throughout the day, this year will also see an additional "dry" 48 hours due to 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as the Election Commission prohibits the sale of alcohol after the end of campaigning for Lok Sabha elections (6pm on the day prior to voting) and the ban ends on 6pm after the fate of candidates has been sealed by the voters on the day of voting. This is done to ensure that voters are not bribed by distributing free liquor on the eve of the General Elections.

2024 Lok Sabha Election Dry Days in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar: April 25 (Thursday), 26 (Friday) 

The Election Commission has declared that dry days will be observed and no liquor will be sold before 48 hours before the end of voting — from 6 pm on April 24 (Wednesday) till 6 pm on April 26 — due to Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Noida, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar districts of Uttar Pradesh bordering the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

Officials informed that all liquor vends selling foreign liquor, Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) and shops selling country (desi) liquor will all be shut during these dry days.

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10,000 litres of liquor seized in Noida ahead of Lok Sabha election

Officials have stated that around 10,000 litres of illicit liquor has been confiscated across Noida and Greater Noida in the Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency after the imposition of Model Code of Conduct pertaining to General Election 2024 were clamped. Apart from seizing the illicit liquor, authorities informed that they have also arrested 86 people carrying out such operations since March 16.

Uttar Pradesh Excise Commissioner Adarsh Singh had on Tuesday chaired a meeting of enforcement and revenue in Greater Noida ahead of the Lok Sabha polls 2024.

District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar Srivastava told PTI, "As much as 9,943 litres of illicit liquor has been seized in the run-up to the polls. The value of this liquor is estimated to be Rs 27,20,709 (Rs 27.20 lakh)." 

The DEO informed that the Excise department is continuous monitoring the situation in the district, especially along its borders with Delhi and Haryana, to check any illegal liquor transportation or sale.

He added, "We have seven mobile teams on surveillance. Additionally, there are six teams on border duty -- three each at Kalindi Kunj and at Jewar." 

Excise officers are working in tandem with police and coordinating with their counterparts in Delhi, Haryana and neighbouring districts in Uttar Pradesh as well, Srivastava said.

Gautam Buddh Nagar goes to polls on April 26. Liquor shops in the district have been shut for 48 hours from 6 pm on Wednesday, according to the officials.

(With Agency Inputs)