Special Operations Group Seizes Truck Laden with 220 Cases of Illegal Liquor: Harpal Singh Cheema

Says, 114 FIRs related to Chandigarh liquor smuggling registered till December end in current FY, 30,096 bottles recovered

Warns, ongoing campaign will be further intensified, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in liquor smuggling

Chandigarh, January 12-Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced today that the special operation group comprising the Mohali Excise team and Mohali Police intercepted a truck near Handesra, seizing 220 cases of liquor marked “For Sale in Chandigarh Only.” He said that this operation was part of a special campaign launched across the state over the past few days to tackle the persistent menace of illegal liquor smuggling from Chandigarh (U.T.).

Detailing the operation, the Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that this seizure is one of six major instances in recent times where liquor was being smuggled into Punjab from Chandigarh. He stated that FIR No. 01 dated 11.01.2025 has been registered under Sections 61(1)(14) and 78(2) of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, at Police Station Handesra. Additionally, six more FIRs have been registered in different police stations of Mohali district in connection with other cases of liquor smuggling from Chandigarh, resulting in the seizure of 42 cases of various liquor brands.

Minister Cheema further stated that, in the current financial year up to 31.12.2024, 114 FIRs related to Chandigarh liquor smuggling have been registered, with a recovery of 30,096 liquor bottles in these cases. He emphasized that both the Excise Department and Punjab Police are adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards liquor smuggling. “The ongoing campaign will be further intensified with continued cooperation from Punjab Police, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in liquor smuggling”, he added.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh stressed that liquor smuggling is illegal, a punishable offence, and detrimental to the State’s revenue under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. He assured that no individual involved in such activities would be spared, and offenders would face severe consequences as per law. He also appealed to the people of Punjab to inform the department about any such activities to prevent any revenue loss to the state.

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OVER 3300 CANDIDATES APPEAR IN ENTRANCE EXAM FOR 15th COURSE AT MRSAFPI; 48 TO BE SELECTED FOR TRAINING

* Director Major General Chauhan conducts inspection at examination centre in Mohali

Chandigarh, January 12:As many as 3329 candidates, on Sunday, appeared in the entrance exam for the 15th course to be commenced at the prestigious the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), SAS Nagar (Mohali). A record number of boys (4128) have registered themselves for the entrance test this year. This response has been largely due to the concerted efforts of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government and high success rate of the Institute.

Notably, the Institute is being run by the Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training headed by Cabinet Minister Mr. Aman Arora.

Director of MRSAFPI Major General (Retd.) Ajay H Chauhan, VSM, conducted surprise inspection at a examination centre set up at School of Eminence, Phase-3B1, Mohali. Three examination centres were set up for the entrance test at School of Eminence, Phase-3B1, Mohali, Police DAV Public School, PAP Complex, Jalandhar and MSD Senior Secondary School, Bathinda. in spite of inclement weather young boys turned up in hordes to appear for the test.

Major General Ajay H Chauhan said that the top 150 successful candidates will be called for the final selection process i.e interview and medical at the later date and 48 candidates will be chosen from across Punjab to undergo training for joining the Armed Forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA) and equivalent academies under the watchful eyes of experienced and highly qualified staff of the Institute.

He further informed that a total of 74 cadets of the Institute have been commissioned as officers in Defence Services since the CM Mann led-Punjab Government has come into power. As many as 64 cadets have joined training academies and 12 cadets are awaiting call up letters.