look news india
To keep the future generation and teenagers of Uttar Pradesh safe from the deadly quagmire of drug addiction, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government has set a new standard of strict compliance with the law across the state. The objective of the Excise Policy of the State Government is not only to root out the syndicate of spurious, illegal and poisonous liquor but also to completely restrict the access of intoxicants in any form to underage children and minors. As soon as the video of liquor being sold to a minor child in Vikasnagar area of the capital Lucknow went viral on social media, the state excise department took prompt punitive action without any delay and gave a clear warning to the liquor traders and licensees that playing with the law and rules will not be tolerated at any level. The government took cognizance of the matter soon after the videos were shared by citizens on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and other digital platforms and issued orders for exemplary action against those found guilty.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, District Excise Officer, Lucknow conducted forensic and administrative investigation of the viral video on September 11. Official investigation proved that the video was of a composite liquor shop located in Shubhauli of Vikasnagar police station area, where a heated argument was taking place between the salesman and an alert citizen. The citizen’s allegation was that the salesman of the shop was openly selling liquor to a minor child without verifying the age. When the investigation team went to the spot and found the conduct of the salesman of the shop to be unsatisfactory and contrary to the rules, they gave instructions to the licensee and got that negligent salesman dismissed from the job with immediate effect. Along with this, a cash fine of Rs 30 thousand was imposed against the concerned composite shop by implementing the legal process of strict compounding under the Excise Act. This swift action taken within just a few hours has proved that anyone playing with the future of the youth will not be spared.
After this strict administrative action, Uttar Pradesh Excise Minister of State (Independent Charge) Nitin Aggarwal has issued strict instructions to all Excise Inspectors, Deputy Commissioners and enforcement teams from headquarters level to district level to conduct surprise inspections and 24-hour surveillance in their respective jurisdictions. The Excise Minister said in clear words that if even a single complaint is received about selling of liquor to a minor below 21 years of age at any country or foreign liquor, beer or model shop operating across the state, then not only will the salesman be punished but there will be no hesitation in canceling the license of the shop and taking strict legal action against the licensee. He directed the departmental officers to compulsorily install warning boards outside the liquor shops stating ‘Selling of liquor to minors is a legal offence’ and regularly check the activation of CCTV cameras to ensure transparent compliance of the rules.
Due to the efficient leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the policy of zero tolerance and the digital tracking system, not a single case of tragedy involving illicit or poisonous liquor has come to light in Uttar Pradesh for more than four and a half years. Due to QR code based bottle tracking, digital surveillance at the distillery level and stringent enforcement campaigns in the border districts, the excise management of Uttar Pradesh has today become an exemplary role model for other states of the country. Departmental officials say that along with registering a historic increase in revenue, providing a drug-free and safe environment to the society is the top priority of the government, and this prompt punitive action taken in Lucknow is a living proof of this unwavering commitment.