Wednesday, 02 October 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Despite repeated warnings, liquor shop owners in Dehradun have continued to exploit customers by overcharging them. In response, district magistrate Savin Bansal has directed the Excise department to ensure regular inspections by Excise inspectors and take action against violators. Bansal warned that if complaints persist, stricter measures will be taken against inspectors for failing to enforce regulations.
Earlier in September, the DM visited liquor shops as a customer and the shop charged him Rs 20 more than the actual price. The shop owner was later fined Rs 50,000. The administration also imposed penalties on a few more shops. However, the practice resumed shortly after, as many believe such penalties are not a significant deterrent and do not really impact such shops. Since the authorities cannot seize a liquor shop as per the recent policy, such fines do not have any deep impact on them. Talking about the issue, Bansal said that the district administration has proposed policy changes to the State administration to allow the seizure of non-compliant liquor shops.
Besides this, he has also directed the Excise department to conduct regular inspections of liquor shops in their respective areas to ensure regular monitoring and take action against offenders. He said that action will be taken against inspectors accordingly for failing to enforce regulations in their area. He also urged the public to report overcharging incidents on the Excise helpline at 18001804253 for immediate action.
