KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Highlighting the significant role of Excise Department in revenue realization and economy of the state, Minister for Finance, Labour & Employment and Culture, Dr Haseeb Drabu said that the every effort would be made to streamline the functioning of the department and to provide conducive work environment to its employees.
The Minister was speaking at the maiden passing out parade of Sub Inspectors and Guards of Excise Department held at Excise and Taxation Training Institute Nagrota on Thursday, an official statement said this evening.
Addressing the participants, Dr Drabu congratulated the pass-outs and expressed the hope that they would work with dedication and department would benefit by the training acquired by them.
Dr Drabu said Excise Department has rendered a commendable service for decades and has an important role in the generation of revenue for the state.
He exhorted upon probationers to make effective use of their training to achieve the set targets by putting in their best efforts.
The Minister announced that various welfare schemes for the employees of the Excise Department would be launched soon. He also said that the employees will be provided hostel facility at Lakhanpur so that they do not face any inconvenience while performing their duties.
Dr Drabu applauded the efforts of the department for initiating the process of imparting training to the staff at the institute.
In order to motivate the officers and the staff, the Minister said that he would recommend rewarding the best performing officers/staff with out-of-turn promotions to boost their morale.
Speaking on the occasion, MoS Finance, Pawan Gupta extended warm greetings to the pass-outs and exhorted upon them to be well versed with the law and to discharge their duties in a humble and honest way.
Gupta asked the pass outs to make their attitude people friendly while performing their duties and ensure that the common people are not put to any inconvenience. He said the revenues of the state depend upon the performance of the employees of the department and urged them to be loyal and honest throughout their tenure.
Excise Commissioner Tsering Angchok while enumerating the achievements of the department, said that up to October 2015, Rs 663.99 Crore revenue has been realized by the Department against Rs 575.48 Crore revenue realized during the previous financial year.
He said the department has recorded a revenue growth of 15.38 percent during the current fiscal year as against 1.85 percent last year.
He said the department is making all-out effort to plug porous Punjab-Kathua border to avoid evasion of the tax revenue. He said that during the current financial year the department has made strenuous drive to eradicate menace of illicit distillation of liquor and bootlegging. “In order to strengthen the Excise administration, new excise ranges have been created which shall go a long way in Excise revenue collection,” he added.
Excise Commissioner informed that the department has initiated the process of creating a Social Responsibility Corpus Fund on the instructions of Finance Minister, which shall be utilized for social cause in close coordination with the liquor industry.
Angchok also pointed out various issues pertaining to the development of the Excise and Taxation Training institute including construction of classroom, multipurpose hall, computer lab and a hostel facility in the institute. The Minister assured to address these issues on priority.
Dr Drabu also gave away the award of Best Cadet to Sub-Inspector Sachin Salathia and distributed commendation certificates to officers and other ranks for their commendable services to the department.
Dr Drabu also announced Rs 1 lakh to be distributed among the awardees on the occasion.
