THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of empowering Excise officers in protecting abkari revenue and preventing the abkari and narcotic offences, the government has exempted Excise officers of and above the rank of Excise inspector from taking arms licence, under section 45(B) of the Arms Act, 1959, to carry and use firearms available with the Excise Department.
Principal Secretary to the government P Marapandiyan issued the order in this regard the other day.
The government had permitted the use of firearms by officers of the rank of Excise circle inspector and above since August, 2001. In veiw of the increase in smuggling of illicit spirit from neighbouring states and the increase in the number of Abkari and NDPS offences, including illicit manufacture, possession, sale and transportation of liquor, narcotic substances and cultivation of ganja, the government had accorded sanction to purchase 110 revolvers of .32 calibre and ammunition for the use of Excise officers of and above the rank of Excise inspector.
The Excise Commissioner had requested the government to exempt the trained officers from taking arms licence so that they could carry and use firearms. As per the Government Order, Excise inspectors and officers above this rank can use firearms to protect abkari revenue and prevent abkari and narcotic offences as well as to overcome threat to life and property from such offenders and for the effective implementation of arrack ban policy of the State. The Commissioner of Excise has been authorised to procure and distribute the arms and ammunition.
The subsequent maintenance of the arms can be done at the nearest AR camp. The Excise officials can be provided the required training for handling arms with the assistance of the state police. The proper upkeep and timely maintenance of the arms will also be done with the help of the state police.
The Excise Department has already placed purchase order with the Defence Department for 110 pistols to be distributed among the Excise inspectors. The purchase of the pistols will cost Rs 72.89 lakh.
The Excise inspectors will also be given mobile phones. For strengthening the prevention of smuggling of illicit spirit and narcotic substances, the Excise Department is planning to deploy Excise inspectors at the 35 minor check-posts in the state.
However, the lack of facilities at the minor check-posts located in remote areas will continue to be a problem for the Excise staff.
Excise Department sources said a proposal would be sent to the Finance Department in this regard.