Bihar administration's to check illicit liquor trade

Saharsa, May 20 (UNI) The Bihar administration will launch a special drive to check illicit liquor trade across the state from June one, Minister of State for Excise Jamal Ashraf said here today.

All the excise constables and sub-inspectors would be equipped with 'fire-arms' to ensure the success of the raids during the period, Mr Ashraf told mediapersons.

The excise superintendents of all districts had been directed to supervise the drive.

''The excise constable and sub-inspectors are not equipped with fire-arms and hence have to seek the assistance of local police during the raids at the hide-outs of illegal liquor trade'', he said adding that a proposal had given to the state government for providing fire-arms to these security personnel.

The menace of illegal liquor trade was not only posing threat to the health but also causing huge revenue loss to the state exchequer through tax evasion by the offenders, Mr Ashraf informed.

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