By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 28: The Excise department has set a revenue target of over Rs 500 crore for the current financial year as it prepares to roll out a QR code-based tracking system for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla told reporters on Thursday that the department aims to surpass last year’s revenue collection.
Although the government had planned to introduce the QR code system in August, the rollout has been delayed. However, Shylla said efforts are underway to launch the initiative at the earliest.
Once implemented, the system will enable the government to monitor and track liquor bottles from the bottling plants to retail shops. “This will plug leakages, and the problem of unauthorized liquor production will also be addressed,” the minister stated.
Meanwhile, the government is also working on a proposal to legalise fermented country liquor, with efforts underway to place the proposal before the authorities.
‘Keep youth busy, keep youth away from drugs’
As Meghalaya continues to grapple with the growing menace of drugs, Shylla has stressed the need to keep the youth engaged in constructive activities to prevent them from falling into this trap.
He said that various government departments are working together and that public support is also being sought to tackle the crisis. “We need to give our youths opportunities in sports and employment to keep them occupied,” Shylla said.
Shylla, who represents the Khliehriat constituency, also called for stringent laws against drug dealers. “I wish to see strong punishment for drug suppliers so that they do not repeat such activities again and again,” he said.
Earlier, the Congress had expressed concern over the surge in drug trafficking in Meghalaya over the past three years, holding the state government responsible for every drug-related death.
In response to the crisis, the Meghalaya government launched the Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) as a holistic approach to counter the drug menace.