Excise Department has taken initial steps to obstruct the inflow of smuggled liquor through inter-state and international borders.
Ahead of the Assam Assembly polls, check-posts at Bhalukpong, Hollongi as well as Balimau in the Udalguri District will be under the strict vigilance of both Excise and Police officials.
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.
Commissioner of Excise Rakesh Kumar has requested all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police to co-ordinate with their counterpart in the neighboring states.
A meeting in connection with inter-state/district co-ordination for enforcement of excise lodge was held on January 30, 2021.
Following the meeting, it was decided that tankers carrying Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) will also be checked at these check posts. There will be arrangement of IPCC cameras at the check posts.
The details of ENA procured from other states by the bottling plants of Arunachal Pradesh will be shared with Assam Excise Department. This will 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 report at 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.
Details of the vehicles checked, shall be reported daily to the Commissionerate of Excise for giving needful intimation to the Chief Election Officer, Assam.
Similar guidelines will be applicable to the Bonded Warehouses and Wholesale Warehouses of Arunachal Pradesh. Further instructions will be issued by the Commissionerate of Excise, Assam.
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. Vehicles coming out of Arunachal Pradesh will be recorded on registers at the check posts of Arunachal Pradesh. This will be shared with the officials of the check posts on Assam side.
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.
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 licensed premises.
It needs to be mentioned that District Administrations, Police and Excise Departments of both the states will share intelligence relating to the trade of illegal liquor. All the Departments will make coordinated efforts to deal effectively with the challenges faced in the enforcement of Excise laws on both sides in the pre-election and during the election period.
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