Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, April 8 -
Commissioner of the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department Sh Ashok Kumar Meena said that in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a zero-tolerance policy is being adopted against the smuggling of liquor, which must be strictly enforced across the districts. Not a single bottle of illicit liquor from other states should be allowed to pass through the state. Forty-five routes have been identified statewide for the movement of licensed liquor. Permitted liquor can only be transported through these prescribed routes. If liquor is found being transported via any other route, the vehicle and liquor must be seized immediately.
Excise and Taxation Commissioner Ashok Kumar Meena, while presiding over the meeting of officials in Sonipat, said that there is a complete ban on the movement of illicit liquor as per the instructions of the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha elections.
He emphasized the necessity of seamless coordination among the Revenue, Excise, and Police departments to effectively combat illegal liquor activities. The Election Commission has placed significant emphasis on tackling this issue. To address it, the department has introduced QR codes, enabling access to comprehensive information regarding production dates, distribution, wholesale, and retail details. Additionally, 24-hour camera surveillance has been implemented. Permit information is accessible through the online system and immediate strict action must be taken in case of any discrepancies.
Ashok Meena informed that to prevent illicit liquor from entering from other states, arrangements have been made for transit slips. These slips will aid in easily identifying illicit liquor. It's crucial to thoroughly check these slips at entry points, as they contain all necessary information. Forty-five designated routes have been established for this purpose. If any information or route is missing, immediate strict action must be taken. Regular checks should be conducted via FST and SST. Additionally, an officer from GST or Excise will be on duty alongside FST and SST teams. Sh Meena instructed that FST and SST teams should vary their inspection locations and avoid establishing a fixed checkpoint. He emphasized the need to strengthen human intelligence to detect illegal and counterfeit liquor, providing necessary tips for this purpose. Possible locations for producing counterfeit liquor were also discussed. He also gave information about the rules so that the right person does not face any problem. He gave instructions to upload the information correctly on ESMS.