lucknow the excise department on thursday issued a strict warning to bars and model shop owners against organising drinking competitions to boost sales principal secretary excise sanjay bhoosreddy said the department had been receiving complaints on drinking competitions which were in violation of excise rules this could lead to cancellation of liquor licence he saidsources said an excise department official had witnessed such a competition where a restaurant was encouraging youngsters to participate in a binge contest and charging for all shots served during the competitionthis appears to be a novel way in which some restaurants are trying to boost sales such complaints had been coming to us for some months but we wanted to ensure there was a law against this kind of binge drinking finally we found a clause in united province excise act of 1948 which prohibits organising such events to push up sales bhoosreddy said he added such activities were common in restaurants and pubs which were being frequented by youngsterswe issued a warning to all licence holders if we receive a complaint and verify it the bar or shop owner will lose his or her licence said bhoosreddy