Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05:
Highlighting the reported rise in corruption and subsequent loss of people's faith in the Excise Department and administrative failure in the last couple of years, the Excise Department Anti-Corruption Front (ACF) has urged the authority to check the assets of the Department's officer including the Commissioner.
During a press meet at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, ACF organization in-charge.
Athokpam Kiran observed that the Excise Department set up under Police Department saw several changes in its administration when it became a civil department.
While it was under the Police Department, the Excise Department was also granted equal power given to a police station.
This enabled the Department, to perform its duties successfully.
But since it was converted to a civil department, it has become totally ineffective and non-operational, he noted.
Because of the lack/inadequacy of necessary infrastructure provided to Excise Departments of the North Eastern States such as weapons, vehicles and secret funds, Prohibition Policy of the State Excise Department has resulted in total a flop, Kiran asserted.
As public complaints over the inaction of the Department have become a daily affair, employees of the Department are unable to work in the office.
Under such circumstances and considering the present situation of Manipur, it is crucial to enforce the Prohibition Policy effectively, he observed.
Saying that the Department submits revenue to the Government successfully, he conveyed that employees of Excise Department are facing difficulties as their GPF fund is too little as compared to other Depts.
They have been peeved with inordinate delay in promotion and irregularities in transferring officers, Kiran alleged.
He accused the Excise Commissioner who joined the office since 2004 for the worsening rot within the Department.
Since the day the Department came under the Commissioner, the level of corruption has risen to unprecedented level, the ACF executive alleged.
Moreover, instead of administering the Department smoothly by providing necessary funds and vehicles to Excise officers posted in different districts, the Commissioner resorted to divide and rule policy to create animosity and distrust among the officers, he alleged.
Disclosing about collection of money with the failed promise of granting loans and robbing the amount sanctioned for Excise employees who took part in Republic Day parade every year, the ACF organization in-charge urged upon the authority to check the personal assets of the current Excise Commissioner and other officers to the rank of OC so as to verify their integrity.
Drawing attention of the Government on the matter, the anti-corruption front asked for a new accountable Excise Commissioner who can maintain transparency and provide the necessary infrastructure to the Excise Department.