In a joint operation of Punjab Excise Department and Mohali District police, an organized module involved in smuggling of ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol) into Punjab state was busted in Mohali district. In wake of forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab, the state Excise Department is taking all measures to curb smuggling of ENA and illegal liquor into the state, said the state’s Joint Excise Commissioner Naresh Dubey.
Dubey said that an input was received that few persons are involved in smuggling ENA into the state of Punjab and Chandigarh evading the excise duties and levies, which caused huge loss to the state exchequer. “Acting on the information, joint teams of Special Operations Group of Excise Department, including Mohali Excise and District Police Mohali, were formed. These special teams were pressed on duty for round the clock nakabandi and patrolling in three districts of Punjab,” he said.
Dubey said that on the intervening night of December 28-29, the teams of Mohali Excise deputed at Lalru near Punjab-Haryana interstate border intercepted a tanker carrying 25,000 litres ENA. “The driver and his accomplice produced some documents in support of the consignment. Immediately, the authorities, which issued the permit and pass of consignment, were contacted for verification of documents, and it was found that the documents were fake and were fabricated to hoodwink the authorities,” he added.
The illegal consignment was meant to be supplied to a known bottling plant of Chandigarh, whose liquor brands have been confiscated in heavy quantities in Punjab state, he added. The Joint Excise Commissioner said that as per driver’s statement, the goods, that is ENA, has been loaded from the state of Chhattisgarh. Further investigation about the source is being carried out, said Dubey, adding that with this consignment of 25000 litres of ENA, approximately 1.10 lakh bottles of country liquor can be produced.
State Excise Commissioner Rajat Agarwal reiterated that in the wake of forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in State, the Excise Department has stepped up the vigil in all the districts of State. Special patrolling and nakabandis are being done on the interstate borders and smuggling prone areas. Agarwal said that the entire chain of forward and backward linkages leading to disclosure of the main suppliers and recipients of ENA is being pursued expeditiously. “Excise Department and Punjab Police are working in close coordination and any attempt of smuggling or illegal selling and distribution of liquor will be dealt strictly,” he said. Notably, under Operation Red Rose, a total of 19,784 FIRs have been registered in which 19,689 persons have been arrested during the period from May 17, 2020, to December 11, 2021. The Department of Excise and Taxation has already started toll free no 98759-61126 for receiving complaints from aware citizens.
