Cuttack: The Directorate of Excise has registered a growth of 130 per cent on detection and seizure of illegal excise substances during the month of April.
Tough Cop Ashish Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Excise is on spearheading enforcement overdirve along with Team Excise, Odisha.
State Excise officials have seized NDPS materials including drugs worth Rs 16 crores in the last month, while such materials of Rs 10 crores were seized during the same of the last year.
This was known from the monthly Excise review meeting held under the chairmanship of Commissioner of Excise, Ashish Kumar Singh through virtual mode on Wednesday, wherein Deputy Commissioner of Excise (CD, Cuttack)/ Headquarter and Superintendent of Excise, Enforcement Cell were attended from different offices.
The number of excise cases has been increased from 2732 in April 2021 to 4213 in April 2022, registering a growth of 54.21 per cent.
Similarly, the number of arrests has increased by 55 per cent in the last month in comparison to the same month of 2021. While 2,270 were arrested on Excise cases in April 2021, it has been increased to 3,531 in 2021-22.
Similarly, the detection of cases and arrest under NDPS Act has also increased by 210 per cent and 187 per cent during the last month.
The seizure of ID liquor and country liquor has increased by more than 92 per cent and 94 per cent, while seizure of bhang increased by 213 per cent.
State Excise officials seized 4939 kg of Ganja in April 22 against the seizure of 3094 kg Ganja in April 2021. The seizure of brown sugar has increased by 58 per cent.
During first 10 days of May (01.05.2022 to 10.05.2022) field offices of Excise Department have detected 1245 cases, arrested 1076 persons and seized 36468 litres ID liquor, 377980 kg of ID wash, 80 litres of duplicate IMFL, 1407 kgs of Ganja, 385 Grams Brown Sugar, 3702 litre Beer, 380 Litre IMFL, & 50 vehicles including bikes, four wheelers & heavy vehicles are seized. Total approximate value of seized property is Rs.4.5 crore.
During the meeting, the Excise Commissioner Singh appreciated the performance and achievement of the Excise officer during the last month.
He instructed all Superintendents of Excise & EI EB Units to strengthen & enhance the enforcement measures in the coming month and to conduct frequent raids against the illegal manufacturing, distributing and sale of ID Liquor/ duplicate IMFL / Non duty paid IMFL / NDPS items.