Excise dept told to rein in spurious liquor, monitor sales through Suraksha App

Amaravati: Government Principal Secretary (General Administration – Political, Excise, and Mines) Mukesh Kumar Meena has warned that strict disciplinary action will be taken against officials who show negligence in the discharge of their duties, especially in the production and sale of spurious liquor.

He said that decisions or actions that could damage the reputation of the government would not be tolerated. He chaired a state-level review meeting with excise officers, assistant and deputy commissioners from all districts at the Excise Commissioner’s Office in Mangalagiri on Wednesday.

Review every 15 days

During the meeting, Meena directed officials to ensure that incidents like the Mulakalacheruvu tragedy regarding spurious liquor do not recur.

He expressed strong displeasure that the standard protocol required during such incidents had not been followed. He announced that henceforth, the Excise Commissioner and Enforcement Director will hold reviews once every 15 days, while he himself will conduct a monthly review on all key matters.

Referring to reports of systemic corruption in the Excise Department appearing in the media, Meena warned that anyone found involved in illegal or unethical earnings will face serious consequences. He stated that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the administration to act firmly in such cases.

The Principal Secretary instructed officials to practice meticulous monitoring in all departmental operations. He directed the Commissioner to extend the ongoing district-level reviews to the circle level as well. Officials, he said, must refrain from giving routine or vague explanations and instead provide clear and specific answers during reviews.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the performance of officials from the erstwhile West Godavari district, Meena also reprimanded officers from four other districts who had displayed similar inefficiency. He urged all officials to implement government directives without fail.

Data on production and sales trends of toddy

Excise Director Chamukuri Sridhar stressed that it is essential to continuously monitor the actual production capacity and sales trends of toddy. He instructed district officers to submit detailed data-based reports within two days. Sridhar also directed that disciplinary cases pending at various levels be investigated strictly in accordance with the rules and that outstanding license fees of permit rooms be collected promptly.

Mandatory use of Suraksha App

Enforcement Director Rahul Dev Sharma emphasised that every liquor bottle sold in the state must be mandatorily registered in the Suraksha App. He pointed out that there appeared to be some lack of accountability in implementing the Navodayam 2.0 program in Srikakulam and Manyam districts. He called upon officials to remain vigilant against duty-evaded liquor, illicit distillation, and spurious liquor.