RANGPO, April 15:
Seizure of spurious liquor (estimated of around Rs 8 Lakhs) as exposed above is apparently not much uncommon in other states, but seized liquors in many cases carrying levels of Sikkim distilleries is growing to be a matter of concern lately
10 April: West Bengal Police arrested Ashok Prasad, resident of Chapra, Bihar with 408 bottles of duplicate liquors along with colour essence, 200 wrappers of Sikkim made liquor, caps, refilling machines, rectified spirits etc from Gandhinagar under Bhakti Nagar Police Station, Siliguri. Another accomplice Manoj Prasad is absconding.
11 April: 600 liters rectified sprit seized by Excise Department Officers, Jalpaiguri at Bagdogra under Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.
12 April: 600 liters of rectified sprit was seized by Jalpaiguri Excise Department during search operation conducted at different places of Jalpaiguri, many carrying labels of Sikkim liquors.
Seizure of spurious liquor (estimated of around Rs 8 Lakhs) as exposed above is apparently not much uncommon in other states, but seized liquors in many cases carrying levels of Sikkim distilleries is growing to be a matter of concern lately. Sikkim liquors, that has an international fame is also one of the highest tax payer in the country with 4 liquor factories, a brewery and another in the making.
As apt operations of West Bengal Excise Department sometimes brings in relief, yet an air of concern, sources reveal that North Bengal itself rears more then 500 small or big factories of spurious liquors, even some being backed by business personalities.
When reports of death following consumption of duplicate liquor is frequent in several parts of the country, the labeling of those spurious products as Sikkim brands is emerging as a phenomenon on the rise.
Never before a death cases was that had a toll of life against consumption of Sikkim liquor and the latter had its worthy reputation in domestic and international market as well. But reputation is apparently at stake now – as well imminent losses in state exchequer. Excise Department of Sikkim is seemingly silent as of yet over the perpetuating quandary.
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
