Excise officials announce measures to ensure safe SankrantiTo ensure uninterrupted supply of IML and beer to licensed vendors

Ahead of the Sankranti festival, Nishant Kumar, Director, Excise & Prohibition, and Rahul Dev Sharma, Director, Enforcement, Prohibition & Excise, led a Statewide video conference on Friday to discuss strategies for ensuring a safe, lawful and incident-free celebration. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, District Prohibition & Excise Officers and Station House Officers.
Key measures include ensuring an uninterrupted supply of Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer to licensed vendors through APSBCL depots with strict monitoring to avoid shortages. Officials stressed the importance of stock management and quality assurance to prevent issues during the festival.
In addition, targeted raids on illicit liquor operations will be intensified, focusing on high-risk villages and public gatherings. Border surveillance will be enhanced, with Excise check-posts and border mobile patrolling parties activated to prevent the smuggling of non-duty-paid and spurious liquor from neighbouring States.
Efforts to monitor toddy sales for drug adulteration and ensure the safety of narcotic substances will also be prioritised, with Enforcement teams conducting regular inspections.
Officials also urged close coordination with other agencies to address any potential substance abuse.
The Excise Department has urged all stakeholders to cooperate in upholding public welfare during the celebrations.
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