Ranchi, July 24: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed officials to intensify action against the illegal manufacture, transportation, storage and sale of liquor, stressing that curbing the illicit trade is essential to protect public health and strengthen the state’s revenue collection.
Chairing a review meeting of the Excise and Prohibition Department at the state secretariat, the Chief Minister assessed the department’s performance and outlined a roadmap focused on stricter enforcement, technology-driven monitoring, faster recruitment and policy reforms.
Officials informed the meeting that the department collected ₹4,013.53 crore during the 2025-26 financial year, exceeding the target of ₹3,885.11 crore.
For the current financial year, the department has set a revenue target of ₹4,500 crore, with ₹1,376 crore already collected by mid-July.
Emphasising the need to eliminate illegal liquor operations, Soren instructed authorities to launch stronger enforcement drives against those involved in illicit production, smuggling and distribution.
He said such activities not only result in revenue losses but also endanger public safety.
The Chief Minister also asked officials to expedite the recruitment process for vacant posts in the Excise and Prohibition Department through the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Officials said appointment letters for 583 excise constables are expected to be issued soon after completion of the remaining formalities.
To improve transparency in liquor transportation, Soren directed the department to introduce GPS-based tracking systems and digital locking mechanisms in transport vehicles.
The move is aimed at enabling real-time monitoring of vehicle movement and preventing diversion of liquor during transit.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also called for a detailed assessment of alcohol consumption patterns, including industrial use, to help formulate long-term revenue and regulatory strategies.
He instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive liquor manufacturing policy along with a separate framework for regulating industrial alcohol.
He further asked the department to simplify the label registration process to ensure smoother availability of approved liquor brands in the state.
Highlighting the importance of inclusive development, Soren directed officials to prioritise employment opportunities for local tribal communities during the construction of excise warehouses across districts.
The Chief Minister also urged the department to adopt greater use of technology in inspections and monitoring while ensuring transparent, efficient and citizen-focused administration.
Senior government officials, including representatives of the Excise and Prohibition Department and the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited, attended the review meeting.
