Nuapada Collector Stresses Surprise Checks to Curb MRP Violations: Excise Department Reviews Enforcement, Illegal Liquor Crackdown and Revenue Collection

Nuapada, August 13: A monthly review meeting of the Excise Department was held at the District Headquarters Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Nuapada Collector Madhusudan Dash, with a focus on strengthening enforcement, curbing illegal liquor trade and ensuring that liquor is sold strictly at the prescribed Maximum Retail Price (MRP). At the outset, District Excise Superintendent Sanghamitra Pradhan presented a detailed report on the department’s enforcement activities, raids against illegal liquor, revenue collection and overall performance in the district. During July, the Excise Department registered 193 cases, arrested 108 persons and forwarded 68 cases to the court. The department also seized 2,282 litres of ID liquor, 877.4 bulk litres of OS liquor and 44,530 litres of fermented Mahua wash during the month. Revenue collection also showed positive growth. For the financial year 2026-27, the district has been assigned an annual revenue target of ₹32.57 crore. By the end of July, the department had collected ₹7.29 crore, including ₹7,29,90,624, achieving 22.41 per cent of the annual target. The collection marked an 8.07 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Reviewing the departmental performance, Collector Madhusudan Dash directed officials to keep a close watch on liquor outlets and ensure that liquor is not sold above the prescribed MRP. He emphasised the need for regular surprise inspections and raids at liquor shops and instructed officials to take stringent action against violations. The Collector also called for intensified enforcement against the illegal liquor trade and stressed the importance of sustained field-level monitoring to prevent unlawful activities. The meeting was attended by Excise Inspector Hirabati Thati, Section Officer Saumyakanta Otta, Excise Sub-Inspector Brundabati Bhua, Excise Assistant Sub-Inspector Balabhadra Raut, along with other officials of the department. The review meeting underlined the administration’s commitment to strengthening excise enforcement, protecting consumers from overcharging and taking firm action against illegal liquor activities across Nuapada district.