Punjab makes GPS must in trucks carrying ethanol

Chandigarh, August 19

The Punjab Excise Department on Wednesday said it had made GPS-enabled tracking devices mandatory in vehicles carrying ethanol, spirits and other items to check their pilferage for making spurious liquor.

The move comes in the wake of the recent spurious liquor tragedy that claimed more than 120 lives in three Majha districts.

“From September 5, no vehicle will be allowed to transport such products without tamper-proof sealing and GPS-enabling,” said Excise Commissioner Rajat Agarwal. The GPS coordinates will have to be preserved by the unit for at least 15 days from the date of completion of delivery of a consignment.

The measures are aimed at providing checks on the transportation of extra neutral alcohol, ethanol, specially denatured spirit, by the distilleries. —TNS

Tamper-proof sealing

• The transport vehicle will not be allowed to stop en route, except in case of breakdown
• The manufacturing unit will then have to inform excise officer within 15 minutes
• If breakdown necessitates transfer of material, it will be done before an excise officer
• If vehicle stops en route for any other reason, it will be assumed it is for pilferage
• Distillery, transporter both will face action as per law