Crackdown on spurious liquor sale on New Year eve

Bokaro: As the district administration’s coffers continue to bleed due to sale of illicit liquor, Bokaro deputy commissioner Kuldeep Choudhary has asked sub-divisional officers and excise officials to plug the sale of illegal liquor on New Year’s eve.
Choudhary chaired a review meeting on Friday and directed district officials to raid shops, restaurants, roadside eateries and dhabas in areas adjoining neighbouring West Bengal along the national highways.
“We have also received reports that liquor meant for sale in West Bengal is also being smuggled in and sold here. The SDOs and sub-divisional police officers have been directed to conduct raids and seal shops, hotels and dhabas which selling them,” the DC added.
Excise officials in the district busted a spurious liquor factory in Gandhinagar area under Bokaro Thermal police station and arrested four men. On December 27, another spurious liquor manufacturing factory was busted in Gomia and a large consignment of bottles, spirit and chemicals were recovered.
In both cases, those operating the factories masqueraded as units manufacturing noodles and laddoos, excise officials said.
That apart, the excise officials are also facing a tough time tackling the influx of IMFL bottles from West Bengal where its prices are cheaper compared to Jharkhand.
So much so, the district has only been able to achieve 60% of its targeted revenue of Rs 132 crore.