Chandigarh. During the budget session, while answering the question asked in the alcohol fraud case, Deputy Prime Minister Dushyant Chautala said strict action had been taken against the culprits after investigating alcohol theft from the godown during the Corona epidemic and the lockdown, according to the Additional Chief Secretary of Electricity, Empowerment, Renewable Energy and Housing Department TC The Special Investigation Team led by Gupta delivered its report on July 30, 2020. Appropriate action has been taken against the officers and employees found guilty in the report. At the same time, the State Vigilance Bureau was tasked with investigating the matter.
He informed that the committee was formed by the then Haryana Police Director-General and was chaired by Additional Police Director-General (Headquarters) Kala Ramachandran. The irregularities and omissions of the police were investigated. Based on this report, action was taken against 27 police officers in 14 cases. Based on the investigation, action was also taken by the Department of Excise and Taxation, targeting seven AETOs and one AETO. One AETO in one case of granting authorization in the period 27 March 2020 to 31 March 2020, indictment under rule 7, and the remaining 7 cases ongoing divisional proceedings. He informed that 15 excise inspectors were charged under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Penal and Appeals) Rules 2016 for issuing permits and passports during the above period. A court case is pending against him.
Measures to avoid loss of sales
The deputy prime minister said several steps have been taken to prevent revenue loss due to illegal liquor sales and improve the department’s system. A state-of-the-art CCTV camera system has been installed at all of the state’s distilleries and bottling plants. At the same time, an integrated control room was set up in the headquarters. Live keying from these cameras is made available to both headquarters and district-level officials. The installation of mass flow meters in distilleries and bottling plants is mandatory. In this context, necessary changes were made to the rules.
Provision in excise policy to stop the sale of illegal liquor
Dushyant Chautala said the liquor stores are regularly inspected by the department to prevent illegal liquor sales. In order to protect revenues, the Excise Duty Directive for 2022-23 has introduced severe penalties against wholesale license holders who sell illegal spirits in bulk. The department actively monitors such cases and collects large fines from those who fail to comply. A fine of over Rs 340 crore has been imposed in such cases since 2020-21. The provisions of the Haryana Excise Act 1914 were amended to curb illegal and counterfeit liquor. The provisions of Section 61 have been tightened.
