Immediate investigation to be done in cases of sale on overrate
Strict action to be taken against senior officials found guilty
Officials instructed to keep strict vigilance for prevention of illegal liquor supply in borderline districts
Raipur, June 26
Commercial Tax (Excise) Minister Kawasi Lakhma has directed the department officials to take immediate action on receiving complaints about liquor sale on overrate in government liquor shops.
Lakhma has warned the officials that the complaints of liquor sale on overrate will be taken into account on a serious note and senior officials proven guilty in such cases would be subjected strict disciplinary action.
Mr. Lakhma was addressing the department officials in the state-level review meeting organized at Excise Building today afternoon. In this meeting, Commercial Tax (Excise) Department’s Secretary cum Commissioner Mr. Niranjan Das, Special Secretary Mr. AP Tripathi, Additional Commissioners Mr. PL Verma and Mr. RK Mandavi along with Deputy Commissioner of Raipur Headquarters, Assistant Commissioner and District Excise Officers, Assistant Excise Officers and other senior officials of various districts of the state were present. Excise Minister Mr. Lakhma took district-wise detailed information from the officials concerned about the status quo of liquor shops.
It is noteworthy that presently, the state has 341 country and 313 foreign liquor shops. Mr. Lakhma also reviewed the status of revenue collection, in the meeting. He directed the officials to keep strict vigilance on borderline districts of the state to prevent illegal supply of liquor from neighbouring states. Officials were also directed to take immediate action and arrest the bootleggers. Excise Minister said that criminal cases should be filed as per the rules and the illegal liquor suppliers should be subjected to strict action. Complaints received in call centers should also be addressed on a serious note. Excise Secretary Mr. Niranjan Das informed in the meeting that as per the instructions of State Government, the department is keeping strict vigilance to prevent illegal trade of liquor. Prior to the review meeting chaired by Mr. Lakhma, Excise Commissioner Mr. Das took a meeting of officials and gave necessary guidelines regarding the review meet. He said that vending or serving of snacks within 50m perimeter of any liquor shop is prohibited. Strict action would be taken if complaints about such activities in liquor shops are found to be true during investigation. Field officials were directed to work in coordination with local police to nab bootleggers. Mr. Das directed all the district excise officers, assistant excise officers and excise inspectors to regularly conduct sudden inspections in liquor shops of their work-areas. In the meeting, Excise Commissioner reviewed the pending pension cases in the department. Mr. Das gave instructions to the officials concerned to redress the pending pension cases as priority.
