Kala Amb bottling plant sealed over misuse of manufacturing licence

In blatant misuse of the manufacturing licence, a huge cache of liquor and labels meant for sale in Uttarakhand were seized from a bottling plant at Kala Amb by the State Taxes and Excise Department (STED) on Saturday night.

Acting on a tip-off, a seven member team led by Ujjal Singh Rana, Additional Commissioner, Enforcement, STED, raided Tilok Sons Brewery and Distillery around 2 am. The team was aghast to see manufacturing of liquor underway by 20 unauthorised persons after the plant was officially closed last evening. A huge cache of liquor as well as extra neutral alcohol (ENA), used to manufacture liquor, as well as lakhs of labels of several brands found at the plant hinted towards large scale nefarious activity.

According to officials, 230 cases of Royal Blue Whiskey meant for sale in Uttarakhand were found at the plant. Additionally, 2,100 excess cases of country liquor, 1,100 excess cases of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and 4,500 bulk litre excess extra neutral liquor were found at the spot.

The quantum of excess ENA can produce unauthorised liquor worth lakhs. As many as 3.95 lakh lables of dry gin and popular brands like Santara meant for sale in Uttarakhand, were found stacked at the unit.

“A complaint has been filed before the police for registration of an FIR while the plant has been sealed and a report has been sent to the Collector, STED, for further action,” said Rana.

The stocking of excess ENA has caused revenue loss to the state, besides violating the conditions of licence.

An Excise Inspector, who was supposed to lock the factory and take the revenue lock with him every evening, has also come under the scanner. He claimed that the plant was closed at 5.30 pm last evening in his presence and he had taken the revenue lock with him. However, he maintained that he found the locks of his room open when he reached home, thus hinting towards the theft.

“The team also seized 41,000 PET bottles from a truck parked inside the premises,” added Rana.

Himachal Tribune