Bill to check illicit liquor trade passed

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government would take stringent action against all those indulging in illicit liquor trade, besides providing a police force to the Excise Department to check the illegal activity. The CM was replying to the debate during the passing of the Himachal Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Vidhan Saba today. The House passed the Bill through voice vote.

“We have decided that a 1,200 men commando force will be raised out of which some personnel will be deputed with the Excise Department and some with Police Department to function as tourism police,” the Chief Minister said.

Sukhu said there was need to take stringent action against those indulging in illicit distillation and the penalty will also be enhanced. “The previous BJP government should have done it when eight persons died after consuming illicit liquor but we will take stringent action against all such people indulging in the illegal activity,” he said.

Main objective for the proposed amendment is the challenge to check manufacture, trafficking and consumption of illicit liquor which at times has resulted in loss of human lives.

The Bill has been brought about with the aim to curb the menace of illicit manufacture, seizure, confiscation and disposal of liquor and bringing about effectiveness in investigation and trail of offences under this Act.

The other objectives of the amendments are to consolidate, amend and update the law relating to production, manufacture, possession, import, export, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating and levy of duties on intoxicating liquors.