CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh flags off five vehicles to strengthen Manipur Excise Department

Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday, March 2, flagged off five new vehicles for the Excise Department at the entrance gate of the Chief Minister’s Bungalow, aimed at enhancing the department’s operational capacity and enforcement efficiency.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Assistant Commissioner of Excise Ng Rajesh Singh said the department is grappling with an acute shortage of manpower but continues to make all-out efforts to effectively implement the lifting of the Prohibition on Liquor Act in accordance with laid-down rules and guidelines.

Rajesh informed that five Mahindra Bolero Camper (Pick-Up) vehicles, procured under the State Plan for the Excise Department, Manipur, were officially flagged off. He said the addition of these vehicles would significantly improve the department’s mobility and strengthen field-level enforcement.

Responding to media queries, he highlighted that against 706 sanctioned posts, the department is currently functioning with only about 130 personnel across 41 excise stations, with some stations being managed by a single staff member. The new vehicles, he said, will help maintain strict vigil against illegal liquor and other excisable-related offences, curb revenue leakage and boost the state exchequer.

Rajesh further stated that the partial lifting of prohibition in certain parts of the state with effect from December 6, 2023, after a gap of over three years, marked a major shift in the state’s excise policy. The move was aimed at regulating the sale and consumption of liquor in a controlled manner while enhancing state revenue.

He added that continuous efforts are being made to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the policy. “With the lifting of prohibition, people can now access non-adulterated Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in a regulated manner. However, strict vigil and continuous monitoring in the field are essential to ensure the spirit of the government’s decision is not compromised,” he said.