CHANDIGARH: Before you drink your favourite

, make sure to check the

.

The

has received many complaints of expired beer being sold in liquor vends, pubs, restaurants and hotels. The department has now planned to conduct surprise inspections at these outlets.

UT additional excise and taxation commissioner Rakesh Kumar Popli said teams have been formed to check excise policy violations. Strict action will be taken against the violators, he said.

The excise and taxation department in the excise policy, which came into force from April 1, had made issuance of bill on sale of liquor mandatory and sale of expired beer is also not allowed. The department had incorporated this clause in the policy after Punjab and

high court on March 8 last year issued directions for making bills mandatory for sale of liquor in Punjab and Haryana. According to the 2019-20 UT excise policy, there is a penalty of Rs 1lakh for first offence and Rs 2 lakh for the second time. Violation can lead to sealing of liquor vend and suspension of liquor licence of hotel or restaurant.