Panaji, Feb 13 (IANS): Continuing with the crackdown on drunken driving, the state excise department on Tuesday instructed all licensed bars and liquor vends, including restaurants that serve alcohol, to put up 'Don't drink and drive' signages.

In a circular to excise officials, Assistant Commissioner of Excise Sataywan Bhivshet said: "The excise officers should submit compliance of the order by March 1 by ensuring that licensed liquor outlets have put up the mandatory signages."All taluka excise inspectors are hereby directed to inform licensed liquor sellers to display the warning either by fixing a board or painted it on wall," the order stated.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the District Road Safety Council on Tuesday.

In view of spate of road accidents, the state government has ordered a crack down on drunken driving as well as drinking alcohol in open.

At the recently concluded budget session, legislators had passed a law that made drinking in public a punishable offence.