Chandigarh, Jun 12 (PTI) Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday stressed the creation of a robust framework for monitoring and regulating the interstate movement of methanol to avert any hooch tragedy.

He asked his department officials to formulate a strong enforcement mechanism in consultation with the Union government to monitor the sale and movement of methanol, especially regulating the online sale of the chemical. Methanol is used in industrial products.

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"This initiative is pivotal in preventing the diversion of methanol for the production of illicit alcohol, which can lead to hooch tragedies," Cheema said in an official statement.

Giving details of the enforcement activities of the department during April and May 2024, additional chief secretary-cum-financial commissioner (taxation) Vikas Pratap Singh apprised the minister that 14,011 litres of illicit liquor and 3,450 litres of extra neutral alcohol (ENA) were seized.

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Besides, 16,79,907 litres of 'lahan' (raw material used for making illicit liquor) was seized, said Singh.

He said excise officers have been carrying out intensive operations against the smuggling of liquor, ENA and other excise-related crimes.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)