JAMMU, Feb 14 - Excise Commissioner, Tsering Angchuk took a review meeting of the over-all growth scenario of the revenue receipts of the Department for the month of January and total revenue realized for the financial year 2016-17.
It was informed in the meeting that the revenue realization of the Department is going in an up-ward direction 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 January, 2016-17, the department has realized an amount of Rs. 1056.96 crore as against Rs. 962.18 crore upto the month of January, 2015-16 thus registering a growth of around 10%. This includes an increase of revenue realization to the tune of 11% over the previous year.
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 enforcement team of different ranges of the State has conducted 351 raids to arrest the menace of illegal smuggling of liquor from other States, illicit distillation of liquor and other violations.
In the process 15 persons have been arrested 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 fifteen tones 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. In the process 301 bottles of illicit liquor have also been destroyed on spot. At the Toll Post Lakhanpur, on the enforcement front, 410 bottles of IMFL, 17428 number of willow clefts, 1080 kg of Bhukhi, and 22200 kg of Polythene has been seized during the current financial year upto January, 2017.
During the meeting, the Excise Commissioner exhorted upon the officers to go for review of their respective wings and Excise Ranges in consultation with the stakeholders. He stressed for removing the bottlenecks and impediments to the growth and their timely removal. He directed the officers to conduct frequent field visits for maintaining round the clock vigil for revenue maximization and ensure that the targets fixed for the year, are not only achieved but surpassed, as was witnessed during the previous fiscal.
He directed the Executive Wing to implement latest judgments of Supreme Court regarding shifting of liquor vends from Highways in letter and spirit. It was stressed to complete the task by taking the stakeholders into confidence in a time-bound manner.
The Excise Commissioner exhorted the Department to gear up its eradication wing and to draw an Action Plan for identification and destruction of Poppy in already identified areas especially in Kashmir Division. Stressing the need for zero tolerance for drunken driving and drug abuse, it was emphasized that concerted efforts be made to spread awareness through electronic and print media.
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