MCG polls: Dry weekend in Gurgaon as liquor sale banned

250 pubs and 180 liquor vends will not be allowed to serve or sell liquor on Saturday and Sunday

Gurgaon will go dry on Saturday and Sunday, as all liquor stores will stay closed on account of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) elections. Liquor can only be served after the counting of votes gets over on Sunday evening, excise officials said.

Election observer Abhilaksh Likhi takes stock of polling booths on Friday. (HT PHOTO)

Campaign for the MCG elections ended on Friday evening and the directive on the sale of serving of liquor will come into effect from Saturday. The results will be announced on Sunday evening.

Dry days will hit the party plans of office-goers in Gurgaon and Delhi, as they often flock to watering holes on weekends.

According to the excise officials, no pub, bars, restaurants and liquor vends will be allowed to serve or sell alcohol on Saturday and Sunday.

The move comes amidst concern that liquor may be used to entice voters ahead of polling on Sunday.

H C Dahiya, deputy excise and taxation commissioner (West), said, “We have formed six teams from east and west areas and officials will visit these places, including DLF CyberHub and Sector 29, in a bid to ensure that there is no violation. Any pub or bar found serving liquor will be penalised and their liquor licences could be cancelled as well. We will keep a close watch on candidates and action under Excise Act will be taken those bringing liquor clandestinely to entice voters.”

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As many as 250 pubs, bars and restaurants across the city and another 180 liquor vends will not be allowed to serve or sell liquor.

Meanwhile, poll preparations by the district administration is on in full swing. Election observer Abhilaksh Likhi visited several schools in wards 34 and 35 on Friday and took stock of arrangements regarding the availability of water, electricity and toilets. He also ensured provision of ramps to enable differently-abled residents cast their votes.

Vinay Pratap Singh, deputy commissioner Gurgaon, urged residents to download the smartphone application ‘Vote 4 MCG’ for help with regard to booth locations.