Haryana govt imposes curbs on liquor consumption

The Haryana government today notified that no person shall consume liquor at a place which has not been licensed or authorised under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, except at one's dwelling.
Announcing this here, state Excise and Taxation Minister Captain Abhimanyu said consumption of liquor on or along the road, in a park/garden/market, along a river side as well as in a vehicle, whether running or parked, shall now be an offence.
In case of any violation, the Excise Officer, not below the rank of an Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer (Excise), would detain the offender, liquor and the vehicle, if any and forward the case, within 24 hours of such detention, to the Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (Excise)-cum-Collector of the district.

Abhimanyu said the Collector might either refer the case to the court of law for trial or dispose the case himself by imposing a penalty of Rs 5,000 per person for the first offence, Rs 10,000 per person for the second and every subsequent offence.
He said that no penalty would be imposed without affording a reasonable opportunity to the offender, including the owner or occupier of the premise and owner of the vehicle.