Stringent Curbs On Brewing, Sales of Illicit Liquor Are On The Cards

GUWAHATI: Tougher curbs on brewing, distilling, and sales of illicit liquor are on the cards with the State Excise department going to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to check such liquor glutting the market in the State.

According to the Commissioner, Excise Department, Rakesh Kumar, now on patrolling in tea estates will be intensified on the weekly days when laborers are paid their wages. This is to check the consumption and sales of illicit liquor. All deputy commissioners and superintendents of police have been informed of this step seeking their support, besides asking all excise superintendents for the implementation of the measure. However, is this practical? Will it solve the problem?

From April 1 this year, according to Kumar, the department is going to introduce new rules for transportation of spirit, an important ingredient of liquor. “A new legislation on the control of laligur (molasses) is being drafted. We’re going to bring transportation of spirit under control. Steps like e-locking of spirit-laden tankers, the use of double Excise seals in tankers and fitting them with GPS etc are some of the steps to be taken soon,” he said, and added that tankers, distilleries, breweries and bottling plants are to have flowmeters now.

The department has already sent a missive to the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Health Department to declare methanol as a poison, besides the use of antidotes and standard operating procedures and treatment protocol in the State hospitals and primary health centres to avoid delay in treatment in the event of any hooch tragedy. Training for doctors and nurses in treatment of patients struck by hooch tragedy is also a must. The sole aim of all these measures, according to Kumar, is to prevent any large-scale death in the event of any hooch tragedy in the State.

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