Chhattisgarh News: Will there be major action against illegal liquor traders now? Will overrating in liquor shops stop? Will immediate action be taken against adulterators? The Excise Minister has given strict instructions to the officials regarding the revenue target and liquor sales system.
Raipur. Chhattisgarh’s Commercial Tax (Excise) Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan reached the Excise Commissioner’s office in GST Bhawan, Nava Raipur and conducted a detailed review of the departmental work. In the meeting, instructions were given to prepare district wise action plan for the coming months.
The Minister stressed on making a strong strategy, conducting shop-wise review and working with departmental discipline to achieve the revenue target set for the financial year 2026-27. Commercial Tax Excise Department Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale, Excise Commissioner Padum Singh Elma, Special Secretary Excise Devendra Bhardwaj and departmental officers and field officers from different districts were present in the meeting.
Special campaign at border check posts to stop illegal liquor and smuggling
During the meeting, the Excise Minister directed the excise check posts located on the interstate borders of the state to run a special campaign against illegal liquor coming from other states. He asked the officials to ensure regular monitoring of CCTV cameras installed at check posts so that every activity can be monitored.
The Minister directed the district authorities to take effective action against the Kochis involved in illegal liquor transportation and sale. Also, a clear warning was given that the Excise Sub-Inspector and the field staff should not make any kind of agreement with the illegal liquor traders.
Instructions to maintain stock, rates and transparency in liquor shops
The Excise Minister asked to take immediate action on the complaints received in the department. He instructed the officials that adequate stock should be available in liquor shops as per the demand of the consumers. Along with this, it was also asked to ensure that liquor is not sold at a rate higher than the prescribed price. Instructions were also given to strictly follow rules and discipline in shops.
The Minister said that the liquor available in the shops should be displayed in the racks as per the rules and the prescribed price should also be clearly written along with it, so that the consumers can get transparency and convenience.
Instructions for shop wise review to districts falling short of revenue target
District wise revenue targets were also reviewed in the meeting. The districts which have achieved their targets were instructed to continuously maintain their better performance. At the same time, the districts lagging behind the target were asked to review shop wise, analyze the reasons and prepare a detailed action plan to overcome the shortfall.
The minister also gave clear instructions to the officials that there should not be any kind of adulteration in the liquor. For this, orders were given to conduct surprise inspections from time to time and to take immediate action if any irregularities are found.
Instructions to blacklist employees if irregularities are found
In the meeting, instructions were given to the officers that wherever irregularities or violation of rules are found, the guilty employees should be immediately relieved and blacklisted. Apart from this, instructions were also given to create separate counters in liquor shops to promote Paytm and other cashless payment systems, so that consumers can get convenience in digital payments.
There will be surprise check of bars, clubs and dhabas
Excise Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale directed officials to conduct surprise checks of bars, clubs, hotels and dhabas operating in the state. He said that strict action should be taken against those operating after the stipulated time or selling illegal liquor. Along with this, instructions were also given to take the cooperation of the police department, if necessary, to keep strict control on the manufacture, transportation, smuggling and sale of illegal liquor and other intoxicants.