Patna: The Bihar government has stepped up its crackdown on liquor smuggling and illegal sales, issuing strict orders to district superintendents and checkpost in-charges to enforce a zero tolerance approach.
In a weekly review meeting, Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department Secretary Ajay Yadav directed officials to boost surveillance, conduct frequent raids, and speed up arrests of smugglers and drinkers. Excise Commissioner-cum-Inspector General Registration Rajneesh Kumar Singh urged districts to submit proposals for action under the Crime Control Act (CCA) and deploy drone-based raids to curb illicit trade.
Emphasising public awareness, Rajneesh instructed campaigns in areas affected by poisonous liquor and tighter monitoring of known illegal selling points in villages. He cautioned against harassment of Scheduled Castes and economically disadvantaged communities and ordered prompt action on complaints raised during Mahila Samvad programmes. All districts were told to complete the destruction of seized liquor within 15 days.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of certain checkposts – including Funkaha in Araria, Pichulia in Aurangabad, Karmanasa in Kaimur, and Mirza Chowki in Bhagalpur – Rajneesh demanded improvements. Special surveillance has been ordered in border districts such as Buxar, Gopalganj, and Jamui.
District superintendents must personally oversee checks, speed up vehicle seizures at checkpoints, and ensure leave for checkpost in-charges is granted only when manpower is sufficient. Rajneesh warned that any negligence in enforcing prohibition laws will not be tolerated.
