Vigilance inspects non-standard peg measures used by bars in Kerala

Kannur: Following reports of tampering with jiggers (the standard hourglass-shaped measuring glasses), the Vigilance Department conducted statewide inspections at bars across Kerala under an operation named Operation Barcode. In Kannur district, inspections were carried out at bars in Iritty, Taliparamba, Pazhayangadi and Payyannur.

At the Pratheeksha Bar in Pazhayangadi, customers were cheated by serving liquor using a 48 ml cup instead of the prescribed 60 ml peg, and a 24 ml jigger instead of a 30 ml one. Legal Metrology officials were summoned to the spot and a fine of ₹25,000 was imposed on the owners.

The Vigilance had prior information that after customers became ‘warmed up’ by drinking a peg, liquor was being served to them in jiggers of reduced measure. In Iritty, Taliparamba and Payyannur, when the QR codes on liquor bottles were scanned and checked, it was found that liquor being served was not authorised for sale in Kerala, and that there were discrepancies in brand and type. Vigilance DySP Babu Peringeth said that further inspections would be conducted in this regard. The Vigilance team collected information from the Excise Circle Offices at Taliparamba, Iritty and Kannur. Excise officials were also summoned to the inspection sites.

Vigilance DySP Babu Peringeth led the inspections in Payyannur, while Inspectors Sajeev in Taliparamba, Sunilkumar in Pazhayangadi and Vinod Chandran in Iritty led the inspections at their respective locations.

Information regarding irregularities and corruption can be reported via WhatsApp. Phone: 9447582440.