Excise Dept intensifies anti-liquor drive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 15 2011:
In view of the approaching Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, the Excise Department has intensified its anti-liquor drive following constitution of a Special Enforcement Force (SEF) .
As per an instruction of the Election Commission of India (ECI), Excise Department constituted SEF on November 21 last and it would operate all over the State.
The SEF which would be headed by Excise DSP P Binodkumar would comprise of two Excise Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors, one Assistant Sub-Inspector and 12 Constables.
The SEF would have one unit in every district.
Manipur Police have also been actively cooperating with SEF in the latter's activities.
In one such instance, altogether 2120 litres of country made liquor were seized from different places between December 10 and 14 in addition to collecting Rs 29,500 as fine.
The SEF under their commander DSP P Binodkumar seized 670 litres of country made liquor from Nagamapal Punshi Keithel on December 10 .
A team of SEF seized another 220 litres of country made liquor from Patsoi Part III on December 13 .
A total of 400 litres of liquor seized by Lamphel Police from Khurai on the same day were also handed over to SEF on the next day.
Further, Excise Porompat Station seized 90 litres of liquor followed by seizure of 750 litres of liquor by an SEF team from Khumbong area on December 14 .
The total quantity of seized liquor was 2129 litres and its value was Rs 1,27,200 when calculated at the rate of Rs 60 per litre, said Excise Assistant Commissioner K Joykumar.
This liquor seized from different places was disposed off by setting them afire at the office complex of Excise Department, Lamphelpat today.
Conceding that country made liquor could not be completely prohibited in the society, Joykumar said that there is a need to restrict extensive abuse of the intoxicant in order to reduce untoward incidents in the society.
He also sought cooperation from all sections of the society in the efforts to reduce and restrict abuse of liquor.
He further exuded that as done in the year 2009-10, the Excise Department is confident of meeting the revenue collection target set by the Government for the current year too.
From April till November this year, the Excise Department has already collected a revenue of Rs 6,34,8,186 .