The Excise and Taxation Department of Chandigarh on Monday said it has sealed five bottling plants in the city on charges of operating without fire safety certificates that are issued by the municipal corporation.
“The Excise and Taxation department, on account of non-compliance and non-submission of fire safety certificates has sealed and imposed penalties of Rs 10 Lakh each on five bottling plants — M/s Highfield Distillers and Bottlers Pvt. Ltd, M/s Oasis Distilleries Ltd, M/s All Aces Distilleries & Bottlers Pvt. Ltd, M/s Zannat Beverages Pvt Ltd, Queen Distilleries & Bottlers Pvt. Ltd,” a statement issued by the administration on Monday said.
A fire had broken out on October 27 last year at M/s Batra Distilleries Pvt. Ltd leading to closure of the plant. At least three people suffered severe burns in the incident, which was supposedly caused by a short-circuit.
The department also said that they had inspected and sealed two vends at Sector 9 and Sector 45 on Sunday after receiving complaints that the outlets in question were selling liquor at prices below the Minimum Retail Sale Price as prescribed by the administration. “The excise department has a zero tolerance policy against any violation of norms as laid down in the Excise Policy and Excise Act,” the statement said.
In another case, the Excise and Taxation Department, with the help of Chandigarh Police, detained a vehicle on Monday carrying approximately 250 cases of liquor, bearing labels and holograms that read ‘For Sale In Punjab Only’ that were hidden under boxes containing medicines.
