STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Excise Commissioner, J&K Government Tsering Angchuk took Revenue Review Meeting of various officers of Excise and Taxation Department here at Excise and Taxation Complex on Friday. The over-all growth scenario of the revenue receipts of the Department for the month of July and total revenue realized till the month of July for the financial year 2016-17 was discussed threadbare and examined critically. It was noticed in the meeting that the revenue realization of the Department is witnessing upsurge viz-a-viz revenue targets fixed for the Department for the financial year, 2016-17 despite hard economic conditions prevailing in the State. Upto the month of July, 2016-17, the department has realized an amount of Rs. 312.95 crore as against Rs. 264.07 crore upto the month of July, 2015-16.
On the front of Eradication and Enforcement activity, the Excise Commissioner appreciated the comprehensive drive launched by the Excise Department to arrest the menace of illegal smuggling of liquor, illicit distillation and other violations of the J&K Excise Act, 1958. The Excise Commissioner stressed for ramping up of Enforcement activities especially with regard to Narcotics and Bhang destruction and in view of the hooch tragedies in some states. It was appreciated by the Excise Commissioner J&K that Nakas were laid on various National Highways to check the Toll evasion and smuggling of illicit liquor and recovery of an amount of Rs.1.74 lakh as fine from the toll evaders during the period. Simultaneously, 299 raids have been conducted in the entire Jammu division to arrest the menace of illegal smuggling of liquor from other States, illicit distillation of liquor and other
violations.
In the process arrest of eleven persons has been made and cases have been lodged in various Courts of Law against the accused persons for illegal smuggling of liquor meant for sale in other States, illicit distillation of liquor and other related offences. About ten tonnes of Lahan, meant for manufacturing illicit liquor, has also been destroyed in the entire Jammu Division by the Excise sleuths who have conducted surprise raids in various areas to arrest the menace of illicit distillation. In the process 505 bottles of illicit liquor have also been destroyed on spot.
On the Corporate Social Responsibility Corpus Fund, the Excise Commissioner stressed for spreading awareness among the masses by engaging world class theatre personalities to produce a play on Drug Addiction and for its enactment in different parts of the State. During the meeting, all the officers of the Department were impressed towards day and night strict vigil to improve revenue realization and work hard to generate revenue for the State. All the Deputy Excise Commissioners and Excise and Taxation Officers were present in the meeting.
