Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 24: In a significant move to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process in the upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly, Excise Commissioner Subash C Chibber, conducted an extensive visit to Lakhanpur and the adjoining areas bordering Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The visit aimed to review the preparedness and operations of the Excise Department, focusing on curbing the illicit trafficking of liquor,which poses a potential threat to the integrity of the election environment.
Accompanying the Excise Commissioner were Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive) Jammu, Sanjay K.Bhat, Deputy Excise Commissioner (Distillery) Jammu, Ramkesh Sharma, ETO Kathua, and other officials.
The team conducted an in-depth assessment of the readiness of the deployed units tasked with monitoring and intercepting illegal liquor activities in these sensitive border regions. Additionally, the meeting underscored the importance of implementing strict dry days within a 3-kilometer radius from the polling areas during the assembly elections to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process.
During the visit, Subash Chibber chaired a crucial meeting with the Nodal Officers of the Punjab and Himachal Excise Departments. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from the CISF and Jammu & Kashmir Police. The discussions emphasized the necessity for coordinated efforts between the states to prevent any cross-border smuggling activities.
Key points included sharing information regarding hotspots of illicit liquor distillation, verification of permits before dispatching ENA, and setting up joint nakas at porous points along the interstate borders that could influence the electoral process.
He along with his team also visited various check posts on the bordering states. He encouraged the teams to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly, assuring them of full support from the Excise Department in their efforts to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
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