TimesView With the liquor rates in Chandigarh lesser than those in adjacent states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, liquor smuggling from the city is on the rise. The illegal trade is mainly being done with the idea of making a fast buck. With elections looming on the horizon, it is only likely to see a rise. If there are uniform liquor rates across states, this will wipe out the very reason for bootlegging. The authorities also need to crack down on units selling liquor bottles without holograms. Random checking and keeping a strict watch on such activity will also act as a deterrent for those plying the illegal trade. MOHALI: A truck filled with 980 cartons of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country-made liquor meant only for sale in Chandigarh was seized from Phase XI here on Friday in another case of smuggling.Shalin Walia, assistant commissioner of state tax, mobile wing, Chandigarh, said 60 cases of “Royal Arms”, “Royal Stag”, and “Imperial Blue” whisky, all IMFL, and 920 cases of “999” whisky, “65 Degree” whisky bottled at Alcobrew Bottlers, Industrial Area, Chandigarh and “Himmat Santra” country-made liquor with brand name “65 Degree” bottled at Super Distillers, Industrial Area, Chandigarh, were found in the truck bearing registration number PB-12-9536.Walia said, “It seems that the UT-based bottling plants are allowing liquor bottles without hologram to be smuggled into Punjab. We have seized over 3,500 cartons of illicit liquor being smuggled into Punjab in the past five to six months. The maximum cartons are of ‘Rajdhani’ whisky, ‘Jublee Special’ and ‘Himmat Santra’ being bottled by a single bottling plant in UT. Chandigarh-based bottling plants have been selling liquor without holograms with impunity which causes huge losses to state exchequer for Punjab as well as Chandigarh. This also leads to decline in lifting of liquor quota for vend owners.” Liquor smugglers have been purchasing liquor at cheaper rates from Chandigarh and smuggling it across Punjab, Haryana , Himachal Pradesh and other states to make a quick buck, he said.To give a slip to the excise officials, miscreants have been resorting to innovative ways to smuggle liquor from Chandigarh to Punjab. Recently, IMFL was seized from a car decorated with flowers and ribbons to resemble a vehicle meant to ferry a bride in Zirakpur in December last year.

Stay updated with all the Chandigarh Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.