Chief Secretary Holds Meeting To Review Excise & Taxation Department
The Voice of Chandigarh
A review meeting of the Excise & Taxation Department held under the Chairmanship of H. Rajesh Prasad, UT Chandigarh. The meeting was attended by Diprava Lakra, Secretary (Excise & Taxation); Nishant Kumar Yadav, Excise & Taxation Commissioner, U.T. Chandigarh; Pradhuman Singh, Additional Excise & Taxation Commissioner-cum-Deputy Excise & Taxation Collector (Excise) and Excise & Taxation Officer (Excise).
During the meeting, the department apprised that during the Excise Policy Year 2025–26, excise revenue amounting to Rs. 965.71 crore had been collected. It was further informed that out of a total of 97 retail liquor vends, 96 vends were successfully allotted for the Excise Policy Year 2026-27, whereby a bid amount of Rs. 560.85 crore received against the reserve price of Rs. 450 crore, thereby reflecting a significant increase in revenue realization. Further, it was also apprised that the Department is likely to achieve excise revenue collection of approximately Rs. 1009 crore against the fixed target of Rs. 1000 crore during the Excise Policy Year 2026–27.
The Department further informed that several reformative measures have been introduced under the Excise Policy 2026–27, including auto-renewal of labels, maintenance of real-time stock inventory by excise licensees, re-introduction of liquor licences at departmental stores, and transportation of liquor through GPS-enabled vehicles for ensuring better transparency, monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
The department also informed that under GST, revenue amounting to Rs. 2,454 crore was collected during the financial year 2025–26.
The Chief Secretary directed the officers to further strengthen enforcement activities and maintain strict vigil over all excise licensees. Directions were also issued to initiate breach proceedings against licensees found violating the provisions of the Excise Policy and relevant rules. Emphasis was laid on effectively checking the illegal movement and sale of liquor, and ensuring that all necessary preventive and punitive measures are taken to curb illicit trade.
It was further directed that, as per the provisions of the Excise Policy, all Custom Bonded Warehouses situated within the jurisdiction of Chandigarh must be duly registered with the department. Strict action shall be initiated against the violators in cases of non-compliance with the prescribed provisions and procedures.
With regard to GST enforcement, directions were issued to intensify enforcement measures and undertake detailed analysis of taxpayers to identify cases involving tax evasion, fraudulent claims of bogus Input Tax Credit (ITC), and fake firms/entities. The officers were instructed to initiate appropriate legal and penal proceedings against such defaulting taxpayers in accordance with the provisions of law.
The Chief Secretary further emphasized the need for sustained monitoring, coordinated enforcement action, and strict compliance with statutory provisions to safeguard government revenue and ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the department.
