In a bid to check illegal trade of liquor, State Government will sell liquor only through 210 outlets all over the State controlled by Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation limited (JSBCl). At the same time, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has warned of strict action against those found to be involved in illegal trade or illicit sale of liquor in the State.
Talking to the mediapersons at Suchna Bhawan here, Excise and Prohibition department Secretary Avinash Kumar said the retail outlets would be under control of JSBCl while the staff would be provided by two agencies, identified by the company, through outsourcing.
“From tomorrow onwards, JSBCl will have full control over the sale of liquor in the State and the sale of liquor could be done only though its 210 outlets all over the State in the first phase, which may get increased later in the second phase. Transportation of liquor will be done through transporting agencies identified for it in closed vans,” said Kumar. Manpower supply, however, would be done through outsourcing the responsibility to the two companies - ‘Shoumukh Engineering’ and ‘Frontline’ in an effective way by computerizing the whole system gradually, he added.
“Staffs in these outlets will also be provided computers, laptops or smart phones so that a close vigil could be kept on the sale and stocks in them,” said the Secretary. The Idea is to keep total control over the system, he added.
“With introduction of this new arrangement, prices of some liquor products may get increased while some may also get decreased,” said Kumar. This is an effort to put a check on over billing of liquor products and also to tighten the noose over those who consume liquor outside the shops, he added.
The Secretary said that one person will be given a maximum of 3 liters of foreign liquor, 6 pouches of country made liquor and 8 bottles of bear at a time and the liquor shops will be open from 1 pm to 10 pm in urban areas and from 12 pm to 8 pm in the rural areas.
The State Capital Ranchi will have 15 retail outlets, one each at Main Raod, Chutia, Harmu, Bariatu, Pithoria, Nagri, Pakoria, Dokra, Thakurgaon, Gako, Silli, Tati Silwai, Sonahatu, Hesatu.
Jamshedpur will have only 25 liquor shops against 91 shops operating earlier till Monday. Assistant commissioner Excise and Prohibition Department, Manoj Kumar said that they were all set to take over the management of the shops.
“As per the order from the state government, we have decided to keep only 25 shops operational from where liquor and other alcohol product will be on sale. The remaining 66 liquor shops will be closed down. We have already issued orders,” said Kumar. He went on to inform that there were in all 91 license shops for liquor in the steel city.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raghubar Das warned that if anybody found to be involved in illegal trade of liquor strict action will be taken against the responsible persons, including officer in charge of the concerned Police Station. Das also directed Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma and DGP DK Pandey to ensure that no illegal trade of liquor is done anywhere in the State.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Panchayat Representatives to ensure that liquor is not sold illegally in the rural areas and inform the nearest police station if they find someone involved in such activities.
“Officials at the district, block and Panchayat level should abide by it sensitively and take strict action if any such incident is witnessed by them,” said the CM. Chief Secretary and DGP will monitor personally at the State level, he added.