Una, April 25: State Tax and Excise Commissioner Dr. Yunus said that the State Tax and Excise Department is working diligently to stop any kind of illegal activity in view of free and fair elections in Himachal. The department has formed 59 flying squads and 22 static squads and in coordination with the excise officers and police of all the districts in the state as well as the border states, strict action is being taken against the people involved in illicit liquor trade and illegal activities.
He gave this information while addressing a press conference at Una district headquarters on Thursday.
4 lakh liters of illegal liquor caught in the state
Dr. Yunus said that during the Model Code of Conduct, the department has seized about 4 lakh liters of Indian and English illegal liquor by coordinating with the teams of neighboring states and the state police teams. Public cooperation has been important in this catch. People had provided information on the department's toll free number, on which immediate action was taken.
In the same sequence, acting on the basis of information received from the people after the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct, the department has seized about 1.5 lakh liters of illegal liquor in Una district, while the bottling plant has also been closed. When irregularities were found in the bottling plant, it has been sealed and to take strict action against the operators, a SIT of Police and Excise Department has been formed, which is taking action. Taking action last day also, around 900 boxes of illicit liquor have been seized in the district.
Crackdown on liquor mafia
State Tax and Excise Commissioner said that yesterday, while taking action on a large scale in Mand area of Noorpur, more than 1 lakh liters of raw and cooked Lahan was seized and furnaces were also destroyed and strict action was taken against the liquor mafia along with the local police. The screws have been tightened while taking action. He said that Bilaspur district team has taken the lead and taken action against the illegal liquor mafia in Dhermanjari. During this period, more than 10 thousand liters of country liquor has been seized and action is being taken under the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act.
Zero tolerance in cases of illegal liquor and tax evasion
Dr. Yunus said that teams have been formed in every district of the state to crack down on those involved in illegal liquor and tax evasion. He said that zero tolerance policy is being adopted in cases of illegal liquor and tax evasion in the entire state. Those who commit such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
E-way bill required for goods worth Rs 50,000
Dr. Yunus said that e-way bill is mandatory for transporting goods worth more than Rs 50 thousand. In case of non-payment of e-way bill, legal action will be taken.
Give information on toll free number 18001808062
State Tax and Excise Commissioner said that the department has issued toll free number 18001808062 to share information about cases of illegal liquor and tax evasion. He has appealed to the common people to give maximum information about illegal activities to the department through this number so that strict action can be taken against the criminals. The information of the people giving information will be kept confidential.