Ranchi, Jul 24 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed officials to crack down on the illicit manufacturing, transportation, sale, and smuggling of liquor in the state.
Reviewing the progress of the excise and prohibition department, Soren said illegal production of liquor not only impacts government revenue, but also poses a serious threat to the lives and health of consumers.
“Take swift and effective action against those involved in illicit liquor trade,” Soren told officials.
During the meeting, officials briefed Soren on the department’s revenue collection.
They said the department generated revenue of Rs 4,013.53 crore in the 2025-26 financial year, surpassing the target of Rs 3,885.11 crore.
For the current financial year (2026-27), the department has set a revenue collection target of Rs 4,500 crore. By mid-July, it had collected Rs 1,376 crore, accounting for 30.57 per cent of the annual target, the officials said.
Soren directed officials to expedite the recruitment of excise constables and fill all other vacant posts, including those of assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), at the earliest.
He also asked officials to prioritise participation of local tribal communities in the construction of excise department warehouses across districts, saying it would strengthen the rural economy and generate local employment.
The chief minister stressed the need to install GPS tracking systems and digital (DG) locks on liquor transport vehicles to enable real-time monitoring.
He also directed officials to formulate a policy for the manufacture of different types of liquor in the state. PTI SAN MNB
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