Latest news with #ExciseAct
The Print
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Odisha CM launches year-long awareness campaign against drugs, intoxicants
'About 1.4 million people lose their lives in India every year due to tobacco use. Among the deaths reported in the country every year due to various causes, about 10 per cent are due to tobacco use alone,' he said. Majhi launched the campaign at the state-level programme held on the occasion of the 'World No Tobacco Day'. Bhubaneswar, May 31 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched a year-long state-wide campaign against drugs and intoxicants and asserted that awareness is the only solution to prevent tobacco-related deaths in the country. Stating that it was time for the public, especially the youth, to take this issue seriously, Majhi appealed to all to join the awareness campaign against intoxicants and drugs. 'I call upon all to take a resolution to adopt a life free from addiction. Say no to tobacco, say yes to life,' he said. The awareness campaign will continue for about a year across the state from May 31 to June 26 in the first phase, June 26 to August 15 in the second phase, October 2 (third phase) and December 25 to January 15, 2026 in the fourth phase. The chief minister said the door-to-door awareness campaign will create awareness about the ill effects and health hazards of tobacco use. He said people should be made aware that 100 per cent of oral cavity cancer or lung cancer is caused by tobacco and cigarette use. 'If the only truth in the world is death, then why should it be painful? Therefore, everyone should adopt a healthy lifestyle,' he said, adding that advertisements of tobacco, cigarettes and drugs are also affecting the youth. He advised people to be careful about these deceptive advertisements. The chief minister also stressed on enforcement to check the prevalence of drug abuse and adulterated liquor. He said joint efforts should be made by Excise, Home Department and Narcotics Control Bureau to take strict action against the culprits. 'Efforts are being made to completely stop the sale of tobacco and drugs by empowering the STF. A new excise policy will be formulated soon to crack down on all types of intoxicants,' the chief minister said. At the event, Majhi launched the logo, theme song and handbook of the state-wide awareness campaign. Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the government has, for the first time, launched a comprehensive awareness programme against the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. 'We will spread this message to the last person of the society. Apart from excise, the participation of other departments and civil society is also needed. The punishment for the offenders under the new Excise Act will be stricter,' he said. Odisha's brand ambassador of the Nishamukti Abhiyan and sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik said it is the responsibility and duty of all to take this campaign to every home. The district collectors and excise officers of all the districts attended the programme virtually. In another event organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department, stress was laid on interdepartmental coordination and public engagement. On this occasion, a signature campaign was launched to involve citizens in pledging their support to a tobacco-free Odisha. The department also released newly developed IEC (information-education campaign) materials to educate the public, particularly youth and vulnerable communities, on the risks associated with tobacco use. The event also witnessed the digital launch of the ToFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions) web application, which will assist schools and colleges in self-assessing and reporting their compliance with national tobacco-free guidelines. PTI AAM AAM ACD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
80,000 litres of ethanol seized in Bathinda
In a major crackdown on illicit liquor, the Punjab excise department seized 80,000 litres of ethanol being allegedly transported illegally in two trucks in Bathinda and arrested eight individuals. Those arrested included four from Bathinda, two from Uttar Pradesh, and two from Nepal, and they were being interrogated by officials of the excise department and the police, said excise minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The two trucks bearing Gujarat registration numbers, and two cars and one SUV were also seized. The minister said the accused have been charged under various sections of the Excise Act, and Section 316 (breach of trust) and 125 (endangering human lives) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He said the quantity of ethanol seized from the two trucks could have been used to produce approximately 3,75,000 bottles of country-made liquor, 2,50,000 bottles of English liquor, or 1,10,000 bottles of sanitiser. Cheema warned that those involved in manufacturing or sale of illegal liquor will not be spared. 'Strict action will be taken against everyone involved,' he said, urging manufacturing illegal liquor to shut down their operations immediately or face stringent legal consequences, including imprisonment. He also pointed out that some individuals smuggle ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol) from Punjab to other states to produce liquor, while others manufacture and sell liquor within Punjab. 'Some misuse ethanol under the guise of producing sanitisers. Numerous such products are used as mediums for the misuse of ethanol,' he added. Cheema said in this particular case, ethanol was loaded at a factory located in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur. He said that excise officials are investigating the intended destination and purpose of the consignment.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: 70 liquor bottles hidden in fodder heap seized
The Koom Kalan police, in coordination with the excise department, seized 69 bottles of illicit liquor hidden in heaps of fodder at a residence in village Kalas Khurd on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Hoshiar Singh, has been booked under Excise Act. Acting on a tip-off received by excise inspector Amit Goel, the joint team raided a room filled with fodder at Hoshiar Singh's residence. Upon inspection, the officials discovered that liquor bottles were concealed in cloth bags and buried deep within the fodder to evade detection. Goel confirmed that the recovered bottles were not licensed for sale in Punjab and were suspected to have been smuggled in from other states. 'The liquor was cleverly hidden to avoid police scrutiny, but we managed to recover all 69 bottles during the operation,' he said. Police officials stated that the seized liquor is now in custody and that a case has been registered against Hoshiar Singh under Sections 61,1 and 14 of Excise act. The accused is being interrogated to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify other accused involved in the racket.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Liquor valued at Rs 46L seized in Alirajpur crackdown
Indore: An illicit liquor consignment valued at nearly Rs 46 lakh was seized and one person was arrested in Udaigarh region on Thursday. Alirajpur SP Rajesh Vyas said that during a routine patrol at Bawdi Phata, Udaigarh police station in-charge inspector Brajbhushan Heerwe received a tip-off regarding a large consignment of illicit liquor being transported. The police set up a checkpoint at the specified location and soon spotted a truck approaching from the Bori side. The truck was intercepted by the team. The driver identified himself as Shivnarayan, 25, a resident of Dangwada, Badnagar Tehsil in Ujjain district. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the police found out that it was loaded with 490 cartons of various brands of foreign liquor. In total, 4388.76 litres of bulk liquor were seized, valued at approximately Rs 45.94 lakh. The vehicle, estimated at Rs 10 lakh, was also confiscated. A case was registered under sections 34(2), 36 and 46 of the Excise Act were registered against the driver and further investigation is underway. SP Vyas said that the operation is part of the department's ongoing efforts against illegal liquor trade in the district. So far the police has registered 562 cases, seized around 56,435 litre illicit liquor worth Rs 2.3 crore and impounded vehicles used in such activities valued at approximately Rs 1.45 crore.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
On camera: Youth misbehaves with cops during traffic check in Indore
Indore: A youth was sent to jail after he misbehaved with police officers during a routine traffic check near a dhaba in Bhawarkuan area on Monday night. ACP Devendra Dhurve said that Rajveer Singh, a resident of Tilak Nagar, was passing through the checkpost on a two-wheeler. When stopped and tested with a breathalyser, it was confirmed that he had consumed alcohol. To avoid action, the youth began arguing with the police and the situation escalated into a physical altercation. The officers managed to restrain him and took him to police station. A case was registered against him under the Excise Act and he was produced before the ACP court on Tuesday, following which he was sent to jail. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the youth engaging in a scuffle with the police. A large crowd gathered at the scene. Police said that similar incidents recently occurred in areas like Azad Nagar, Khajrana, Chhoti Gwaltoli and Rajendra Nagar during checking operations, where attacks on police were also reported. All such cases have been addressed under sections related to obstructing govt work.
