Bhubaneswar: Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday directed departmental officers to take necessary measures for curbing illicit liquor trade and use of brown sugar in the State.
Harichandan while attending a review meeting of the Excise Department suggested for deployment of more employees in the Department and take steps for intensifying crackdowns. He emphasized for widespread use of technology in the operations of the Department, capacity building of officers and transparent processes in every sphere of the Department.
Noting the need for more warehouses for Odisha State Beverage Corporation, the Minister directed the officials to prepare a requisite proposal.
Underlining the need for training of employees regularly for capacity building Harichandan emphasized on the need for the establishment of an Excise Academy.
He also directed for taking steps in coordination with other departments to expeditiously bring the addicts to society’s mainstream after getting them de-addicted.
Harichandan was welcomed to the Department by Principal Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani who presented him a bouquet and a stole.
At the outset, Lohani informed the Minister about the operational activities of the Department and various steps taken by it in different financial years.
Similarly, Excise Commissioner Narsingh Bhol and Odisha State Beverage Corporation Managing Director Amber Kar also briefed the Minister about their respective activities and operations.
Among others, the Department’s Additional Secretary Mary Lakra, Special Secretary Archana Dasnayak, and Financial Advisor Ramesh Chandra Dakua attended the meeting.
