Following the strict orders of Excise Commissioner Punjab Varun Roojam IAS and Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, Aashika Jain, the Excise Department has kickstarted a massive search operation in the district to curb the illegal flow of liquor in wake of the Lok Sabha Elections -2024.
Divulging details, the Assistant Commissioner, Excise, Ashok Chalhotra said, “We are keeping a strict vigil on the porous borders along Chandigarh/Haryana to ensure that there is no illegal flow of liquor to the district” by adding that the Department in coordination with District Police has earmarked 26 interstate entry points towards Mohali district from Chandigarh, Ambala & Panchkula side. All these nakas will be fully operationalised in the coming days. As of now, in coordination with district police joint nakas have been laid at various entry points keeping an element of surprise. With the efforts of District Magistrate, a meeting has also been conducted with the officials of UT and Haryana to work on the strategy to stop smuggling of liquor on interstate borders.
He further stated that the department has started massive search operations by pushing in four dedicated teams besides four additional excise inspectors in the district. The teams have been checking dhabas, eateries and restaurants besides random checks of vehicles to ensure that no liquor could be served without valid licenses at these points besides transportation without legitimate permits. The district has registered 87 FIRs from March 01, 2023, to March 20, 2024, by recovering 13932 bottles of liquor and 285 Kg of Lahan, he further added.
Excise teams have recovered 54 bottles of liquor in 05 different FIRs where 08 persons have been arrested, besides getting 02 FIRs registered against an illegal drinking at illegal place/Hukkah bas in Kharar and Mullanpur area of Mohali district since the enforcement of MCC, said Assistant Commissioner, Excise. He further added that today i.e. on 25.03.24 Excise department after massive hunt in Behra village of Dera Bassi area of Mohali district has recovered 1020 LItrs of Laahan, 05 litres of illicit distilled liquor, one gas Bhathi and drums. FIR no 96 dated 25.03.2024 has been registered at Police Station Dera Bassi.
He said the department teams have been working round the clock to ensure free, fair and transparent elections to keep check on the illegal flow of liquor.
For the knowledge of general public he explained that as per the excise provisions, the consumption of liquor on the premises must have the licenses said the Assistant Commissioner Excise by adding that hard bars need L-3,4,5, Beer Bars L-3A, 4A, 5A, Pub Bars L-5B, Club Bars L-12 C and Marriage Palaces L-5D.
Moreover, a special permit in the form of L-50 A is needed for serving liquor in a marriage palace or any other such place. Similarly, any person, at any time can’t have more than two bottles under the possession, until and unless, he has got a permit in the form of L-50, which increases the limit to 02 cases of IMFL. This limit is only for liquor meant for sale within Punjab. In case of liquor not meant for sale in Punjab, possession of even a single bottle is a punishable offence, added Excise Official Chalhotra.
He said that all the liquor vends have been instructed to keep in mind the restrictions and did not sell out the liquor without prescribed limits and permits/licenses. They were also instructed to carry a valid permit while transporting stock from wholesale vendors.
He further mentioned that Excise department is working in close association with district police to nab the anti-social elements engaged in excise related Crimes. He said that this crusade will be taken forward in coming days and areadomination exercise like Flag marches and massive search operations will be conducted jointly with district police in areas sensitive from Excise point of view and no unscrupulous element engaged in illicit distillation or smuggling of liquor will not be spared.
