Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 2: The Excise Commissioner, Pankaj Sharma has initiated inquiry after the seizure of 819 bottles of liquor from a private Bar & Restaurant in Jhajjar Kotli area last evening.
Talking to Excelsior the Excise Commissioner said that department has initiated proceedings against both the licensees for not following terms and conditions of respective license and ascertain the reasons for off loading the liquor consignment not meant for off loaded destination. The consignment stands seized till proper verification of the stock and inquiry is conducted into mismanagement of parties involved including the transporter.
The Commissioner further revealed that ‘show cause’ notices have been served to both the licensees and enquiry through Dy Commissioner Excise Jammu has been initiated to ascertain facts in the matter. If found guilty, the licensees shall be proceeded under the J&K Excise Act, Svt. 1958 and the J&K Liquor License and Sale Rules 1984.
While clarifying on social media reports regarding the seizure of ‘illegal liquor’ bottles at Cross View Bar & Restaurant, the Excise Department apprised that the liquor is transported from wholesale trades to different retail vends (Bars and wine shops) across UT of J&K only after issuance of a Transport Permit (TP) in favour of the registered licensees with the Excise Department.
In no case liquor can be transported without TP’s. He said all the duties due to the Excise Department on sale of liquor are realised in advance by the Department prior to the transportation of liquor. In the instant case, the liquor consignment meant for wine shop under name and style M/s Rakesh Kumar Sharma wine shop, Misrata Panchayat, Bhalara, Ghatt Morh, Tehsil Bharderwah was issued from Trikuta Wine Trade, Marble Market Jammu (Wholesale Trade JKEL-1) vide TP No: 00028030 dated 31/07/2023 (3:59 PM) after realization of Excise duties due at the end of retail and trade amounting to Rs 1,16,647 liable for the consignment.
However instead of consigning the liquor to the designated destination it was off loaded by the driver at Hotel Cross View Bar & Restaurant having License No. 212 /JKEL-2. It has been verified that each liquor bottle is with proper hologram and Batch No. that certifies that the liquor is not illicit but legal and is fit for human consumption and has been properly dispatched from the Trade under proper procedure. Therefore, there is no point of illicit liquor as has been alleged in the social media and no loss has been incurred to the Government revenue on account of sale of liquor, he maintained.
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