Punjab Government Cracks Down on Drug Menace and Corruption, Introduces Excise Policy to Boost Revenue

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The Punjab government has stepped into action mode to tackle the rising concerns of drug abuse and corruption in the state. In a significant move, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration has announced the formation of a five-member Cabinet Committee to monitor the fight against narcotics. This decision comes as part of the government’s commitment to eradicating drugs from Punjab, a long-standing issue that has plagued the region.

The newly formed Cabinet Committee will be chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, with key members including Aman Arora, Balbir Singh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Tarunpreet Sondh. The committee has been assigned the crucial role of overseeing the enforcement measures and ensuring stringent action is taken against drug-related crimes. The move aligns with the AAP-led government’s broader strategy of taking strict legal and administrative measures to dismantle the drug network operating in the state.

In another major development, the Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has approved the Excise Policy for the financial year 2025-26. The policy aims to generate additional revenue and streamline the excise duty collection process, with an ambitious target of earning ₹11,020 crore in the upcoming fiscal year—an increase of ₹800 crore compared to the previous year. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema stated that this policy is designed to optimize revenue collection while ensuring transparency in liquor trade operations.

A key aspect of the new excise policy is the return to the 2022 system of liquor vend allotment through e-tenders. This measure is intended to enhance fairness and eliminate any possibility of favoritism or corruption. The government, however, has retained its policy of maintaining an open quota for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), ensuring that market demand is met without unnecessary restrictions. Additionally, the quota for country-made liquor has been increased by three percent, in line with the growing demand from consumers in Punjab.

Apart from the excise policy reforms, the Punjab government has also introduced amendments to the issuance of birth and death certificates. Under the new provisions, doctors will now be required to specify the date and precise cause of death in official records, a step aimed at bringing greater accuracy and transparency to public documentation.

Additionally, the Punjab government tabled the much-anticipated report of the NRI Commission before the Council of Ministers. This report is expected to address key issues concerning the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community and provide policy recommendations to strengthen ties between the state and its large overseas population.

With these policy decisions, the Punjab government has demonstrated its resolve to tackle pressing social issues, streamline governance, and increase revenue. The aggressive stance against drug trafficking and corruption, coupled with the newly structured excise policy, reflects the administration’s focus on economic growth and public welfare. The government’s approach will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future socio-economic landscape of Punjab.

Title Tag: Punjab Government Tightens Grip on Drugs, Corruption; Approves Excise Policy to Boost Revenue

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