Property of person involved in illegal liquor trade in Himachal will be confiscated, arrest without warrant

Shimla, 05 September: Sukhu government has made the law strict by tightening the noose on people involved in illegal liquor trade in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Excise Amendment Bill along with Himachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill was passed by voice vote in the House on Thursday. After this amendment, there is a provision to confiscate the property of the person involved in illegal liquor trade and increase the fine amount when the law comes into effect.

Regarding the Himachal Pradesh Excise Amendment Bill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in the House that keeping in mind the deaths due to consumption of poisonous liquor in Sundernagar of Mandi district two years ago, the government has made the law strict, so that people involved in fake liquor trade can be tightened. He said that the government will soon recruit 1200 police constables. It will work like a commando force, whose services will be taken as per the need to run the excise department, tourism and traffic system smoothly.

The Chief Minister said that the amendment bill has provisions to regulate the production, sale and transportation of liquor. But with the increasing cases of illicit liquor manufacture and consumption, it has become necessary to enhance penalties and streamline enforcement processes. The amended provisions are aimed at improving the effectiveness of investigations and trials related to excise offences. The amended Act includes an increase in penalties for various offences, with fines ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. A section of the amendment bill empowers the government to confiscate property acquired through illicit liquor business. It prohibits individuals from possessing such property.

The amendments also include stringent penalties for offences such as selling liquor to minors, employing minors in liquor-related activities, unlawful production and sale and mixing harmful substances with liquor. Additionally, stringent penalties have been imposed on licence holders or their employees for fraudulent activities. Arrest can be made without a warrant for all offences related to illicit liquor smuggling.