Himachal Pradesh Cracks Down on Illicit Liquor Trade with New Bill

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a bill imposing strict penalties for illicit liquor trade, including the involvement of minors. The 2024 Excise Amendment Bill makes all related offences cognisable and introduces harsher fines and punishments. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the importance of stringent enforcement.

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly took a significant step on Thursday by passing a Bill aimed at curbing illicit liquor trade, imposing stringent penalties including severe punishment for involving minors in these illegal activities.

Key provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2024 include making all offences related to illicit liquor manufacturing, trafficking, and consumption cognisable, and the confiscation of properties acquired through illegal means.

During the legislative assembly discussion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu underscored the need for tougher regulation of liquor manufacture, sale, and transport, along with more stringent penal provisions and streamlined enforcement.

The Bill amends 13 sections of the original legislation, according to Sukhu.

Penalties for offences now range from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, with harsher punishments for liquor adulteration, adding harmful elements to the trade, and involving minors in illicit activities, as highlighted by the chief minister.

Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that all offences under the Bill will be cognisable, enabling enforcement agencies to arrest offenders without a warrant, in a bid to establish a robust enforcement framework.

(With inputs from agencies.)