Latest news with #StateExciseDepartment
News18
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Maharashtra To Mandate GPS-Enabled Digital Locks For Liquor Transport From July
Last Updated: The new system will equip liquor tankers with GPS-enabled digital locks, allowing real-time tracking of their movements In a significant move to enhance the security and transparency of liquor transportation, the Maharashtra government has announced the implementation of GPS-enabled digital locks on vehicles transporting liquor and spirits. This initiative, set to commence on 1 July 2025, aims to curb theft, prevent illegal diversions, and modernise the state's liquor supply chain. Historically, the monitoring of liquor transport in Maharashtra relied heavily on manual methods, including physical escorts for vehicles carrying spirits, particularly during interstate movements. Despite being a sensitive commodity, there was no digital surveillance system in place. Recognising the need for modernisation—and inspired by similar initiatives in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal—Maharashtra has decided to adopt this technology-driven approach. The new system will equip liquor tankers with GPS-enabled digital locks, allowing real-time tracking of their movements. This will enable the State Excise Department to monitor the vehicles' routes, detect unauthorised deviations, identify prolonged halts, and receive alerts in case of tampering. Geofencing technology will also be employed to notify authorities when a tanker enters or exits designated zones. Initially, the project will be rolled out as a pilot with selected license holders. It will cover tankers transporting pure spirit within the state and for export purposes, as well as vehicles ferrying beer from licensed facilities such as Proprietary Label Licence (PLL) and Bottling & Rectification Licence (BRL) units to ports for international shipping. Excise officers will have access to live data via mobile devices and desktop applications, ensuring constant oversight. Officials from the Excise Department believe that the digital lock system will revolutionise liquor transportation by improving safety, reducing theft, and enhancing compliance. The model is akin to safety mechanisms used in the petroleum industry, where tamper-proof systems and real-time tracking are already standard. A formal government resolution has been issued mandating the rollout of this system by July 2025. Published on the official Maharashtra government portal, the resolution marks a decisive step towards adopting smart technology for regulatory purposes. With this initiative, Maharashtra positions itself as a forward-looking state in the regulated liquor trade, aiming to ensure accountability, efficiency, and security across its transport network. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 03, 2025, 12:14 IST
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
Spurious liquor consignment of Nagpur kingpin seized in Chandrapur
Nagpur: In a major crackdown on the counterfeit liquor , the local crime branch (LCB) of Chandrapur on Thursday seized illicit liquor worth Rs47 lakh from a truck smuggling liquor under the guise of agricultural and household goods. The seizure, said to belong to Nagpur's top liquor kingpin, is the latest in a series of operations that has uncovered fake liquor worth Rs1 crore this year. Based on a tip-off, an LCB team intercepted a truck on national highway 353 near Bandar Shivapur in the jurisdiction of Chimur Police Station. The vehicle was smuggling counterfeit liquor from Chandrapur to Gadchiroli. During inspection, police found yellow plastic sacks filled with soyabean and utensil scrub boxes, beneath which liquor bottles were concealed. The haul included 350 boxes of country liquor valued at Rs12.25 lakh, 90 boxes of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs11.23 lakh, and 90 boxes of beer worth Rs3.45 lakh. The truck, valued at Rs20 lakh, was also seized. The total value of Wednesday's seizure stood at Rs47 lakh. Following verification by the State Excise Department, Chimur subdivision, the 350 boxes of country liquor were confirmed to be counterfeit. Police arrested the driver, Vishal Kamaldev Uike (27), a resident of Pathri in Sakoli taluka of Bhandara district, along with three accomplices — Pappu Parsaram Waghade (20), Suresh Banduji Yuvnate (50), and Vishal Jambhulkar. A case was registered against them at Chimur police station under relevant sections. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ipeiros: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo This case adds to a growing list of similar seizures in the district. In Nov 2024, police confiscated liquor worth Rs32.07 lakh from a truck in Korapna. Another haul worth Rs30.60 lakh was made in March 2025 in Gondpipri. According to official data, Chandrapur police registered 22 cases related to illicit liquor in 2025 so far, leading to the arrest of 29 individuals. The total seized material this year stands at Rs1.28 crore, of which counterfeit liquor accounts for Rs1 crore. SP Mummakka Sudarshan said cops are determined to break the counterfeit liquor supply chain operating across district borders.
