Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 May, 2023 11:02 AM
Chandigarh, May 29 (IANS) The Excise Department in Punjab has carried out a massive statewide checking and monitoring operation in liquor bars, and took action against the violators.
Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Sunday this special drive, named 'Night Sweep', was launched to check the menace of smoking hookahs and other illegal activities in bars, pubs and restaurants.
He said more than 13 teams swung into action on Saturday night under the direct supervision of Financial Commissioner Taxation Vikas Partap and Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam.
He said in Mohali district's Nayagaon area, restaurant 'I love Hot shot' was found serving 'hookahs' to its customers for smoking along with beer which was meant for sale in Chandigarh only, thereby violating various provisions of law.
During the search, 20 hookahs, seven bottles of beer, various tobacco flavours and charcoal were confiscated. A case has been registered against owners of the restaurant under various provisions of the Punjab Excise Act 1914, the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003, the Poison Act 1919 and Indian Penal Code in Nayagaon.
In addition, in the Bestech Mall in Sector 66 in Mohali three bars -- 'Burj' (W White Hospitality), 'Skull' (Friend's Hospitality) and 'Mask Lounge & Bars' -- were found carrying out their operations beyond permitted timings.
Resultantly, the penal action has been initiated against these violating bars.
He said in Amritsar bar 'Peddlers Bar' was found operating beyond permitted time limit and was also serving the liquor to persons below 25 years of age.
During the search of the bar, 17 bottles of non-duty paid liquor and five bottles of expired beer was found which were confiscated on the spot.
Similarly, in Jalandhar bar 'Peddlers' was found operating beyond permitted time limit.
The minister said the excise teams on the ground were led by the Additional Commissioner (Excise) Naresh Dubey and AIG (Excise) Gurjot Singh Kler along with other senior officers of the department.
"Officers of the Health Department were also roped in. Each team had at least one woman officer and one Health department's representative in it," he added.
Highlighting the significance of operation Night Sweep, minister Cheema said the operation was aimed at the checking of smoking of hookahs at bars and restaurants considering the detrimental effects of smoking these hookahs on health, which contains harmful substances such as nicotine, known to be carcinogenic.
In a video message, the Chief Minister said Punjab symbolises peace and progress as from this sacred land the great Sikh gurus have given the message of universal brotherhood and well-being of every section to the people.
Meanwhile, the positivity rate of the city has risen to 5.83 per cent. The number of active cases stands at 270 out of which 179 patients are being treated in home isolation.With 21 patients recovering in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries so far has gone to 19,81,293, while the total caseload is 20,08,087 and the death toll in the city stands at 26,524.
According to Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Director Atul Garg, a call about tilting of a building was received in Shakarpur area on Vikas Marg in east Delhi. Strong tremors, lasting a few seconds, shook most of north India on Tuesday evening, creating panic among people.
The Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here recovered 28 gold bars worth Rs 1.15 crore after rummaging two IndiGo flights, officials said. A Customs official said that the action was initiated on Saturday on the basis of intelligence inputs received by them.
The petitioner also requested the apex court to direct the media to desist from reporting on criminal proceedings, to prevent further shaming and embarrassment for the 72-year-old victim and the perpetrator.
On March 6, Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court sent Sisodia to 14 days of judicial custody in CBI case, which expired on Monday. He is lodged in the national capital's Tihar jail.
