Despite the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989 in force since the past 25 years, the Excise department has been “sidelined” for long due to “certain short sighted interpretation of the government as well as the mindset of Naga people with regard to total prohibition”, said parliamentary secretary for Excise and Land Resources Development, B.S. Nganglang during first meeting at the Excise directorate in Dimapur on Tuesday.
Nganglang who took charge of Excise department recently, said that when the Act was enforced in 1989, the government of the day, may have “misjudged” the implications in failing to realise that enacting the Act also placed consequent responsibilities on the department.
Due to the consequent failing, Nganlang opined that it gave way to assumption that the department had become “duty less” when there was failure to effectively implement the NLTP Act. Nganlang admitted that there were “certain anomalies” during the initial stage of implementation of the Act as a result of which, the department was “facing all sorts of problems”. He said public opinion on the Act was divided and so it was the duty of the department to give a “clear and well assisted opinion” and to ensure that the stakeholders of the state was properly briefed about the situation.
Nganlang reminded that the “movement” on the NLTP Act by sections of the society was keeping the department in the “tight position”.
He warned that the pro and anti NLTP debate was likely to “hot up” as the days go by and therefore asked the department to be prepared to give all the possible feedbacks to NGOs including churches.
He also exuded hope that “something” will come out, as serious consultation meetings was also convened by the NPF led DAN-III government to discuss on NLPT Act.
Nganlang opined that if the government took any decision on lifting the NLTP Act, it would remain meaningless if the government did not enforce a result oriented system.
Whatever decision to be taken on NLTP, he said that lifting the Act or tightening it more effectively required the involvement of the department. He further encouraged the department officials and personnel to cooperate and work together so as to lift up the image of department to a greater height.
Nanglang also lauded the department for doing its best despite less manpower. He also appreciated the efforts of the officers in trying to bring new developments to the department.
Earlier, in his introductory and welcome address, commissioner of excise Maongwati Aier, IAS pointed out that the department was doing its best despite less manpower and inadequate facilities.
In a representation to the parliamentary secretary, Maongwati reminded that he had submitted proposal to the government in the year 2012 and the matter was referred to the finance department for necessary action to be initiated. He said the proposals included creation of 50 posts of excise constables submitted to the Commissioner & Secretary Excise on August 6,2012. He said there was urgent requirement for a Deputy Superintendent Excise(DSE) in all districts but at present, there were only four DSEs as against requirement for 13 DSEs. The commissioner excise also pleaded to upgrade/promote nine inspectors to DSEs and also for creation of three posts of superintendents of excise.
Highlighting the need to modernise the excise department, Maongwati said the main area of concern was transportation as the existing vehicles were “very old” when compared with the “new and speedy” vehicles used by the drug and narcotic smugglers.
He impressed on the need for modern communication system with high frequency to track the movement of suspects and vehicles besides mobile tracking device and Secret Service (SS) fund. He said fund was required in any operation to obtain information and reward informants after effecting seizures
Maongwati lamented that so far the government has not allotted any Secret Service fund to the department and officials were compelled to use of their own resources.
Secretary of excise, Ramongo Lotha (IAS) also lamented that despite the excise department in existence prior to statehood and as one of the oldest departments, the department has not developed to expectation. On shortage of excise officers and personnel, Lotha said that despite repeated request the state government has not been able to meet the demands of the department.
He however encouraged excise officers and personnel to work with containment, sincerity and dedication as they were “blessed” to acquire a government job.
The programme was chaired by additional commissioner of excise, Pitongse Sangtam and vote of thanks was delivered by deputy commissioner of excise Lanuwati Jamir.
RELATED POSTS
View all
