Punjab Excise Department intensified its crackdown on illegal serving of alcohol to minors, with a focused two-day enforcement drive conducted on August 30 and 31 in Ludhiana. Under the supervision of Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the department inspected 23 premises, including hotels, clubs, bars, and pubs, uncovering violations at nine locations where underage customers were served alcohol.
The drive, part of an ongoing state-wide initiative, aimed to uphold stringent compliance with the Punjab Intoxicants Licence and Sales Orders of 1956, which prohibits the sale of alcohol to individuals under 25 years of age. The Excise Department’s actions are a direct response to previous lapses and are designed to ensure that such breaches are met with rigorous legal consequences.
Cheema highlighted that the crackdown was crucial in maintaining the integrity of alcohol regulations and protecting youth from potential harm. He emphasized that establishments found in violation would face prosecution and possible suspension of their liquor licenses. “This drive is just the beginning. We will continue to carry out similar enforcement actions across the state to ensure strict adherence to the law under the direct supervision of Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Finance Commissioner (Taxation) Vikas Partap Singh and Excise and Taxation Commissioner Varun Roojam,” Cheema stated.
The enforcement teams were also instructed to conduct regular inspections and monitor establishments closely to prevent future violations. Additionally, bar owners and managers are now required to verify the age of customers before serving alcohol and prominently display statutory warnings as mandated by law. Staff training on compliance and responsible service practices has also been emphasized to curb future infractions.
Cheema stressed the importance of social responsibility among liquor vendors and their critical role in ensuring that regulations are strictly followed. He said that during the two-day drive, the owners and managers of the concerned establishments were also reminded of their critical social responsibility towards the youth and society. “They have been instructed to strictly comply with the excise provisions and rules, including the verification of customers' age before serving alcohol,” he added.
