Latest news with #PunjabExciseAct
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Dry day in Ludhiana West on June 23
Jun 23, 2025 06:40 AM IST Exercising the power conferred under Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 and Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the district magistrate Himanshu Jain has declared a dry day in the area falling under the revenue limits of Ludhiana-West assembly constituency and its 3 km adjoining area on June 23. All concerned authorities and establishments are directed to enforce these restrictions diligently. (HT Photo) Jain also ordered the closure of country liquor and foreign liquor vends besides no hotel, restaurant, club, bar and other establishment will store/sell/ serve liquor in the area falling within the revenue limits of Ludhiana West constituency and 3 km adjoining area of respective constituency. The liquor shops, hotels, restaurants and clubs run by anyone, even if they are issued different categories of licences for possession and supply of liquor, are also not permitted to serve liquor during the above-mentioned time period during the day. Jain has also mandated strict compliance with these orders, prohibiting the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the specified areas during the designated periods. All concerned authorities and establishments are directed to enforce these restrictions diligently.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Stage is set for counting of votes in Ludhiana West bypoll on Monday.
Ludhiana: Security has been tightened, the strong room sealed, and the counting staff finalised as Ludhiana West braces for a high-stakes byelection result on Monday that could have far-reaching implications for Punjab's political landscape. The bypoll was triggered by the death of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in Jan. The constituency will see a fierce contest among 14 candidates, including AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, Congress veteran Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Bharatiya Janata Party's Jeewan Gupta, and Shiromani Akali Dal's Parupkar Singh Ghuman. Voting on June 19 recorded a turnout of just 51.33%. Counting is scheduled to begin at 8 am at Khalsa College for Women in Ghumar Mandi and is expected to conclude by early afternoon, election officials have said. Results are likely between noon and 1 pm. Security & Counting Setup Returning officer R P Singh confirmed that 14 counting tables, along with one for postal and electronically transmitted postal ballots, have been arranged. Each table will have a dedicated team comprising a supervisor, assistant, micro-observer, and helper. To ensure transparency and security, a three-tier system has been enforced at the counting centre: local police in the outer layer, state armed police in the middle, and paramilitary forces inside. EVMs (electronic voting machines) are stored under 24-hour CCTV surveillance. Entry to the counting hall will be restricted to authorised candidates and their designated agents. General observer Rajeev Kumar and district election officer Himanshu Jain conducted final inspections on Sunday and confirmed the arrangements. The duo also oversaw the second randomisation of 72 counting staff — comprising 24 supervisors, 24 assistants, and 24 micro-observers — to prevent procedural bias. A final round of randomisation will occur on Monday morning before counting begins. Dry day for 3 km To maintain public order during counting, district magistrate Himanshu Jain has declared June 23 a dry day under the Punjab Excise Act and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. All liquor outlets, hotels, clubs, and bars in Ludhiana West and within a 3-km radius are barred from storing or selling alcohol for the day. Jain has directed strict compliance from all relevant authorities. He also reaffirmed that all electronic voting and VVPAT machines are under constant watch and guarded by paramilitary personnel. Battle history Ludhiana West has witnessed dramatic electoral swings over the years, with Congress holding the seat for much of the past two decades until losing it to AAP in 2022. With the political stakes sky-high and security tight, Ludhiana West's by-election is poised to offer not just a new MLA, but a glimpse into the evolving mood of Punjab's electorate. MSID:: 122006753 413 |
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Taking steps to cork liquor smuggling, Chandigarh responds to Punjab
Days after the Punjab government strongly objected to the increasing incidents of liquor smuggling from Chandigarh into various districts of the state, the UT excise and taxation department has responded, stating that all necessary measures are being taken to curb the illegal trade. Last week, in a detailed 13-page letter addressed to Ajay Chagti, secretary, excise and taxation, UT, Punjab's excise and taxation commissioner Jitendra Jorwal had attached a list of 35 FIRs registered across multiple districts since financial year 2025-26 began, all pertaining to liquor illegally smuggled from Chandigarh. In its reply, the UT excise and taxation department stated that it had intensified efforts to curb inter-state liquor smuggling and ensure strict compliance with the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. Regular inspections and enforcement drives are being carried out to combat illegal practices and to promote transparency in the distribution and sale of liquor, it said. The response added that on several occasions, the department had acted upon information received from Punjab regarding seized liquor consignments, promptly seeking further details to identify points of sale and the individuals involved. Multiple letters and reminders have been issued to the authorities concerned, the department said, expressing hope that the culprits will be booked, as Punjab has assured the provision of detailed information in the requisite format to trace the origin of the smuggled liquor without ambiguity. To enhance coordination, the department has also initiated communication with neighbouring states to ensure swift information sharing whenever liquor meant for sale in Chandigarh is seized elsewhere. Upon receiving such information, proceedings under the Punjab Excise Act are immediately initiated. Action has also been taken against bottling plants and suppliers whose liquor, manufactured for sale in Chandigarh, has been seized in Punjab. The reply further stated that during the current Excise Policy period (2025-26), the department has conducted 48 inspections, resulting in the seizure of 16,429 bottles of liquor. Legal proceedings have been initiated under the applicable excise laws. These actions reaffirm the department's commitment to maintaining transparency, discipline and accountability within Chandigarh's licensed liquor trade. Additionally, the department has implemented a track-and-trace system for real-time monitoring of liquor production and distribution. Non-compliance with this system will attract strict punitive measures. The department is also conducting back-tracing to vends or bottling plants upon receiving information from Punjab or other neighbouring states, along with regular inspections across all excise premises, it added in its response.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Kharar eatery owner held for ‘selling' liquor
Mohali: In a late-night raid, the owner of a local eatery in Kharar was arrested for allegedly selling illicit liquor to nearby residents and students staying as PGs. The raid, carried out on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, uncovered a significant cache of illegal liquor at Micky Kitchen on Landran Road. The accused, Rakesh Kumar alias Micky, owner of the chicken shop, was reportedly running an underground liquor supply operation, targeting customers in residential areas and PGs, especially post-midnight hours. According to officials, he procured liquor from Chandigarh using his personal vehicle. TNN Acting on a tip-off, the raid was conducted under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner Excise Ashok Chalotra and direct supervision of Excise Officer Dewan Chand and DSP Kharar Karan Singh Sandhu. The team, led by Excise Inspector Vikas Kumar and supported by local police, seized a substantial quantity of liquor during the operation. Among the recovered items were 67 bottles of Indian and Foreign Made Liquor (IMFL/IFL), 112 beer bottles, 40 beer cans, and 35 nips of various Ready-to-Drink (RTD) brands, all marked "For Sale in UT Chandigarh Only". Preliminary investigations indicate that Rakesh Kumar is a repeat offender involved in the illegal late-night sale of alcohol. A case has been registered under Section 61 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, and Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to petty organised crime. The FIR names Rakesh Kumar of Golden City, Sector 10, and an accomplice, Krishan of Sector 125, both residents of Kharar. Authorities are now probing the broader network and supply chain behind the illicit trade. Further investigation is ongoing, and officials have assured strict action against all those involved. MSID:: 121364514 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Kharar eatery owner held for illegally serving liquor
The owner of an eatery in Kharar was arrested for illegally selling liquor during a raid conducted by the excise department and local police on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The teams recovered 67 bottles of Indian made foreign liquor/ imported foreign liquor (IMFL/IFL), and 112 bottles, 40 cans and 35 nips of beer/ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails of various brands, all marked 'For Sale in UT Chandigarh Only.' According to police, a raid was conducted at Micky Kitchen on Landran Road, Kharar, where the owner, Rakesh Kumar alias Micky, was found selling and supplying liquor to customers in nearby residential areas and to students residing in paying guest (PG) accommodations, particularly after midnight, without a permit. Acting on a tip-off, the raid took place under the guidance of assistant commissioner in excise department, Ashok Chalotra and the direct supervision of excise officer Dewan Chand and DSP Karan Singh Sandhu. The operation was led by excise inspector Vikas Kumar, along with local police personnel. Preliminary investigation revealed that Rakesh Kumar had been procuring the liquor from Chandigarh using his personal vehicle and selling it illegally after midnight. He is a habitual offender involved in the unauthorised sale of liquor during late-night hours, said police. An FIR has been registered under Section 61 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, and Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for petty organised crime against Rakesh, a resident of Golden City, Sector 10, near Anaj Mandi, Kharar, and Krishan, a resident of Sector 125, near Connect Office, Kharar. Further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify others involved in the illegal liquor trade.
