Ahead of assembly polls, Assam Excise department makes tight vigil to check illegal liquor

The check-posts at Bhalukpong and Hollongi as well as Balimau in the Udalguri District will be under the strict vigilance of both Excise and Police officials ahead of the Assembly polls in Assam.

Assam Excise department PRO Sailen Pandey said that both the departments will check and record consignments coming out of Arunachal Pradesh as well as entering Arunachal Pradesh through Assam.

"As per the directive of the Election Commission of India the Excise department has taken steps to obstruct the inflow of smuggled liquor through inter-state and international borders. Rakesh Kumar, Commissioners of Excise has requested all Deputy Commissioners & Superintendent of Police to co-ordinate with their counter part in the neighbouring states," Sailen Pandey said.

A meeting in connection with inter-state/district co-ordination for enforcement of excise lodge was earlier held on Jan 30.

"Following the meeting, it has been decided that the tankers carrying ENA will also be checked at these check posts. There shall be arrangement of IPCC camera at the check posts. Action will be taken by Sonitpur District Administration, Police and Excise," Pandey said.

The details of ENA procured from other states by the bottling plants of Arunachal Pradesh will be shared with Assam Excise Department to prevent any possible leakage en route.

The liquor consignments imported/exported by Arunachal Pradesh which will report in check posts of Srirampur and Sagolia will need to report at the check post of Bhalukpong or other concerned check post situated at the entry and exit point of Assam.

Vehicle failing to report at these check posts will liable to be seized.

The details of the vehicles checked, shall be reported on a daily basis to the Commissionerate of Excise for giving needful intimation to the Chief Election Officer, Assam.

It is noteworthy to mention that the Commissionerate of Excise had issued certain guidelines and instructions to be followed by liquor companies/manufactories based in Arunachal Pradesh and exporting liquor to Assam and to other states through Assam.

The instructions required the concerned companies/manufactories to furnish Bank Guarantee of Rs 25 lakh as security, use of digital locks and GPS etc. 

Similar guidelines will now be applicable to the Bonded Warehouses and Wholesale Warehouses of Arunachal Pradesh, instructions regarding which will be issued by the Commissionerate of Excise, Assam shortly.

The information regarding consignment moving out of and into Arunachal Pradesh will be shared by Arunachal Pradesh Excise Department with the police and excise departments of Assam.

The information of the vehicles coming out of Arunachal Pradesh which is recorded on the registers at the check posts of Arunachal Pradesh will be shared with the officials of the check posts on Assam side and those vehicles need to report at the check posts.

The concerned authorities will have to share the information such as the name and address of the Manufacturing unit, Bonded Warehouse, Wholesale Warehouses functioning in West Kameng District and brands of liquor/beer produced in such manufacturing units. Steps will also be taken to monitor the licenced premises by the concerned authorities to prevent any possible leakage.

In order to deter the small scale influx of liquor by camouflaged vehicles, the West Kameng District Administration has been directed to take up the issue of restricting the movement of vehicles at the Arunachal Pradesh check posts after 5 pm.

Also, the list of habitual offenders will have to be shared by Sonitpur Police with Excise. Excise Department, Sonitpur shall submit the details of such offenders to the Commissionerate and shall keep surveillance on them.

West Kameng District Administration will also keep a strict vigil on the opening and closing time of all the manufacturing plants and other licenced premises.