Illicit liquor manufacturing continue in Himachal Pradesh
State police and Excise and Taxation Department couldn’t curtail manufacturing and trafficking of illicit liquor in Himachal Pradesh after formation of new government. The illicit trade of manufacturing illegal liquor in the state is not stop after two years of hooch tragedy in Sundernagar subdivision of Mandi district despite a special drive wad run by the State E&T Dept. According to spokesperson of Department search and raids were conducted 45 places in different areas and seized 346 liters of illegal raw liquor in the state. A team of Noorpur in-charge of the E&TD destroyed the illegal liquor distillery and 200 liters of raw liquor in Indpur and Dhamota areas of Indora on the spot. Apart from this, a case has been registered under Section 39 of the Excise Act by taking possession of 6 liters of Lahan. In district in-charge of Kullu action had been taken under the Excise Act, seizing 140 liters of Lahan during action in different areas of the district.
A interdepartmental team were constituted bt E&TD to seize 346 liters of raw liquor and Lahan in last four days. In the action 70 bottles of country and English liquor was also recovered. The commissioner said that the department has caught illegal liquor in 17 cases by raiding 45 places from January 25 to January 28, 2023. Instructions have been issued to all the district in-charges to inspect the godowns of all retailers and wholesalers in their respective jurisdictions. State Tax and Excise Commissioner Yunus told here today that the department is taking strict action against those involved in liquor smuggling and illegal business. He said that orders have also been given to take samples to check the quality of liquor and take strict action as per excise rules. He said that if any license holder is found involved in illegal liquor smuggling or illegal activities, strict action would be taken against him under the Excise Act. He informed that all recovery officer and district in-charges of E&T were directed to take action against the persons involved in illegal liquor activities.
