The state excise department has joined hands with liquor manufacturers to train its staff in identifying and distinguishing original brews from duplicate liquor.
In its attempt to crack down on bootleggers who duplicate bottles of liquor, including those of expensive premium brands,
“We have started conducting training courses for our people to help them understand the difference between original and duplicate liquor,” state excise commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee told DNA. He added that it was necessary for their staff to be periodically updated on this information.
Mukherjee said that in a session organised by them, experts from some liquor manufacturing companies trained state excise department personnel in identifying differences in security features on original and duplicate bottles, such as the shape of the bottle, logos and hallmarks.
Some veteran officials from the department with expertise in this regard were also roped in for the exercise wherein demonstrations and lectures were held for a couple of days with the personnel.
“These steps will ensure that no duplicate bottle is passed off as original,” said Mukherjee, adding that since manufacturers change bottle specifications and security features periodically, it is necessary for excise department personnel to be updated with relevant information. “When you identify a thing as an original or a duplicate, you must be sure about it,” he pointed out.
Excise department officials admit that bootleggers usually focus on duplication of imported brands like scotch and whisky since these brews attract stiff duties.
In the 2011-12 financial year, the state excise department was given an ambitious target of collecting Rs8,500 crore, up by around 46.55% from the previous year’s Rs5,800 crore target. The department managed to collect Rs8,601.32 crore, which Mukherjee pointed out was the “highest-ever collection in the history of the department.”
The state excise department has also made it mandatory for all manufacturers to opt for e-payment of excise duty. It also plans to go in for large scale computerisation of the department and has drawn up a blueprint for it.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}