Sir,
This is in reference to the news item “Excise Deptt facilitating opening of bars in blatant violation of Excise Act, Policy” published in DE on September 11, 2017.It is very surprising that despite criticism from different quarters those at the helm of affairs in the Excise Department are facilitating opening of bars in blatant violation of J&K Excise Act, 1958 and J&K Excise Policy 2017-18.
As per the rules, the bar should be opened in the hotel’s premises for which it was allotted but it has been reported that in the case of another hotel which is located on the outskirts of Jammu city, has also shifted its bar in a newly constructed banquet hall which otherwise is not part of hotel’s premises, which is in contravention of the existing rules.
It is further submitted that that a committee of five Deputy Commissioners of Excise was constituted vide Order No. 39-E of 2013 dated April 17,2013 with the basic objective to handle all the important issues like location of bars etc but this committee was dissolved few months back in order to centralize the decision making powers. Being a multi-member committee it was not easier for anybody to influence its decision but this was not being tolerated by those officers of the Excise Department who had nexus with the liquor mafia. Since this five-member committee has been dissolved it has become easier for such officers of the Excise Department to act as per their wishes or the wishes of liquor mafia by flouting all rules and regulations. Had this committee been in place the prevailing illegalities would have been arrested to large extent.
In view of the above, it is clear that those officers who are in nexus with the liquor mafia are flouting rules for their vested interests. Surprisingly, the State Government has also not made any serious effort to break the nexus and is allowing the same to continue for reasons best known to them. Thus personal intervention of the Chief Minister is solicited to investigate the reasons for dissolving the committee of five Deputy Commissioners of Excise constituted vide Order No.39-E of 2013 dated April17,2013 and all those corrupt officers of the Excise Department who are manipulating the rules for their vested interests are brought to book as early as possible.
Yours etc……
S.S.Jamwal,
New Plots Jammu
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