DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday said that the Ludhiana East Range of Excise department carried out a rigorous two-day Special Enforcement Drive on August 30 and 31st with a focused on stringent action against liquor vends, hotels, clubs, bars, and pubs serving alcohol to underage customers.

Revealing this in a press communique issued here, the Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that during this two-day enforcement drive, 23 premises were inspected, and it was found that 9 bars were in violation of the law by serving alcohol to underage customers. He said that legal action has been initiated against these violators.

The Minister said that this drive was part of an ongoing effort, and similar enforcement actions would be conducted regularly in the various parts of the state under the direct supervision of Additional Chief Secretary cum Finance Commissioner (Taxation) Vikas Partap Singh and Excise and Taxation Commissioner Varun Roojam. He said that the enforcement teams have been directed to monitor and inspect establishments at regular intervals to ensure strict adherence to the law. "Under the Punjab Intoxicants Licence and Sales Orders 1956, it is prohibited for any licensee to sell liquor to individuals below the age of 25 years", said Cheema while adding that the violations of this provision can lead to prosecution and suspension of the license.

Revealing further, the Minister said that during this two day drive, the owners and managers of the concerned establishments were also reminded of their critical social responsibility toward the youth and society. They have been instructed to strictly comply with the Excise provisions and rules, including the verification of customers' age before serving alcohol, he added

The Excise Department has also directed the Bar owners and managers to prominently display statutory warnings as required by law and to review their operational procedures. They are expected to adequately train their staff to prevent future violations, said the Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
(editor@dailyworld.in)