Sharp rise in cases of illicit distillation also
Shops to open only after stock verification: Comm
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 14: In blatant violation of restrictions imposed by the Government during the ongoing lockdown, several vendors are discreetly selling liquor that too on highly exorbitant rates in most parts of the Jammu province right under the nose of the law enforcement agencies.
The liquor vends—wine shops and bars with restaurants were ordered to be closed by respective District Magistrates in their districts along with other outlets of non-essential commodities in order to fight Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) by avoiding crowding.
As these shops were closed abruptly, the details of stocks/transport permits could not be verified or checked by the Excise Department officials properly. Taking advantage of this, many vendors are selling liquor to the people that too on highly exorbitant rates, sources told EXCELSIOR.
“This illegal practice is not only confined to Jammu but in other districts of the Jammu province particularly in the rural areas”, they said, adding “there are reports that several vendors, who had taken liquor in bulk from the stockists, are continuously selling the same to the people on highly exorbitant rates”.
“Most shocking aspect is that illegal trade of liquor during the ongoing lockdown is taking place right under the nose of the law enforcement agencies, who otherwise are supposed to ensure strict compliance to the closure orders issued by the respective District Magistrates”, sources further said, adding “even illicit distillation of liquor has witnessed sharp rise ever since the lockdown was imposed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
They informed that in view of the restrictions imposed by the District Magistrates, the work of Enforcement Wing of the Excise Department has suffered immensely as the Excise sleuths are unable to move out in the field although they are supposed to check the activities of narcotics as well as the illicit distillation of liquor also.
“The Excise Department sleuths have not been exempted from the restrictions although they perform regulatory duties like of police to control crime and illegal activities in the society”, sources said, adding “those indulging in illegal sale of liquor during the lockdown period are taking advantage of this situation”.
Stating that offenders every time look for gaps in the system for smuggling and other malpractices, sources said, “there are also reports of drug/liquor smuggling in Valley but due to lockdown the Excise Department officials are finding it difficult to lay the nakas”, adding “several shopkeepers selling essential commodities have been booked for violation of lockdown restrictions in almost all the districts but not even one liquor vendor has been taken to task till date although law enforcement agencies are aware of illegal sale of liquor in many parts of Jammu province”.
When contacted, Excise Commissioner J&K Rajesh Kumar Shavan said, “we have also received such reports as such we are requesting the Government for exemption of Enforcement Wing of the department from the lockdown restrictions so that noose is tightened around those who are indulging in such illegal activities”, adding “we have already initiated certain measures to plug the loopholes”.
Pointing towards the Order No.1 dated April 6, 2020, he said, “Excise Department has decided that no bar/restaurant or liquor vend shall be opened unless they get a specific order from the department. Moreover, the Excise and Taxation Officers will ensure that liquor vends or bar with restaurant will operate only after getting a specific order from Excise Department and after verification of stocks etc”.
“This is mandated to identify all the malpractices which have taken place during the lockdown period”, the Excise Commissioner said.
In continuation of this order, the Excise Department vide Order No.03 dated April 10, 2020 has further directed that these conditions shall also apply “Mutatis-Mutandis” to stockists of BIO and other traders of IMFL. “The concerned ETOs shall verify the stocks and also the authenticity of actual utilization of any transport permit issued proceeding to the lockdown period”, the order further read.
During the lockdown period, the Excise Department has granted 8-10 permissions to pharmaceuticals/distilleries to utilize alcohol for making hand sanitizers to meet out the shortage.
In one case, the department has recommended the case for opening of unit for limited period of four days under exemption 5(b) of Government of India Order No.40-3/2020-D dated March 24, 2020 enabling completion of manufacturing processes. But all these cases pertain to disposal from office and not the field job.
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