Reviews Excise Dept performance, stresses use of technology
Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed officials to intensify action against the illegal manufacture, storage, transportation and smuggling of liquor while reviewing the performance of the Excise and Prohibition Department at a high-level meeting held at the Jharkhand Ministry.
Reviewing the department’s performance for the financial year 2025-26 and the action plan for the current fiscal, the Chief Minister issued a series of key directives, including framing a comprehensive liquor manufacturing policy, filling vacant posts in the department, integrating liquor transport vehicles with modern tracking technology and prioritising local tribal communities in the construction of excise warehouses.
Soren stressed that illegal liquor production not only causes significant revenue losses to the government but also poses a serious threat to public health and safety. He instructed officials to ensure swift and stringent action against those involved in the illegal liquor trade and strengthen enforcement measures across the state.
The meeting also focused on revenue collection. Officials informed the Chief Minister that the department exceeded its revenue target of Rs 3,885.11 crore in the 2025-26 financial year by collecting Rs 4,013.53 crore. For the ongoing financial year 2026-27, the department has set a revenue target of Rs 4,500 crore. By mid-July 2026, it had already collected Rs 1,376 crore, achieving 30.57 per cent of the annual target.
Emphasising the use of technology in excise administration, Soren directed officials to maximise the use of modern tools for inspection and monitoring of excise units. He also instructed that liquor transport vehicles be equipped with GPS tracking systems and digital locks to enable real-time monitoring of vehicle movement, routes, stoppages and destinations, thereby enhancing transparency and curbing illegal diversion.
The Chief Minister further asked the department to conduct a comprehensive study on the consumption of industrial spirit in the state. He directed officials to assess current and future demand, industrial usage and revenue-generation potential before preparing a detailed action plan.
Soren also called for the formulation of a liquor manufacturing policy covering various categories of alcoholic beverages and directed officials to frame a regulatory policy for industrial alcohol. He asked the department to simplify the label registration process to facilitate the availability of popular liquor brands in the state.
Highlighting the need to strengthen human resources, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite recruitment against all vacant posts in the Excise and Prohibition Department through the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). He said adequate manpower was essential for effective implementation of departmental schemes, improved surveillance and efficient administration. Officials informed the meeting that the appointment process for 583 excise constables selected through JSSC was in its final stage.
Soren also instructed officials to give priority to local tribal communities in the construction of excise department warehouses across districts, stating that the move would generate employment opportunities and strengthen the rural economy.
Excise and Prohibition Minister Yogendra Prasad attended the meeting along with Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Excise and Prohibition Department Amitabh Kaushal, Excise Commissioner Sandeep Singh, JSBCL Managing Director Neeraj Kumar Singh, Joint Excise Commissioner Gajendra Kumar Singh and other senior officials.
