In order to curb the possibility of transporting liquor through Andhra during the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls, the state government has issued orders imposing a ban on alcohol in the districts neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the polling dates.
This includes parts of East Godavari, Nellore and Chittoor.
The Hindu reported:
Commissioner of Excise and Prohibition issued a circular directing the Deputy Commissioners of Kakinada, Chittoor and Nellore to implement the prohibition....The Deputy Commissioners were also asked to check the flow of illicit liquor during the ban period.
The polling for the assembly elections, takes place from May 14 to 16 and counting takes place on May 19.
The ban will start from 6 pm on May and last for 48 hours till 6 pm on May 16 in East Godavari district while shops in Nellore and Chittoor will be shut from 10 am on May 14 to the midnight of May 16.
Officials may also shut liquor shops in all three districts on May 19, till the votes are counted.