Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav held a review meeting with the Department of Excise & Prohibition at Lok Bhavan, Kohima on August 11. (Photo Courtesy: PRO Lok Bhavan Nagaland)
Kohima, August 11 (MExN): Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Tuesday held a review meeting with the Department of Excise & Prohibition at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, to assess its functioning, enforcement activities, revenue collection and challenges.
The department reported total excise revenue collection of Rs 2,250.66 lakh (Rs 22.51 crore) during April 2021 to March 2026, with annual collections rising from Rs 317.36 lakh in 2021-22 to Rs 591.96 lakh in 2025-26, according to a presentation made before the Governor.
During the same period, the department registered cases under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act and drug-related offences, with seizures including IMFL, country liquor, poppy straw, opium, heroin, cough syrup and other drugs in capsule or tablet form, the press release issued by PRO Lok Bhavan Nagaland stated.
The department highlighted major challenges including porous borders, acute manpower shortage, absence of cadre review since its inception, discontinuation of inter-district check-gates, outdated firearms, limited operational mobility and persistent demand-driven illicit liquor. It noted that its personnel-to-population ratio stands at 1:6,000, compared to 1:2,000 in Mizoram.
Infrastructure development under the Excise Housing Programme for 2025-26 was also reviewed, which includes construction of Excise Offices at Phek and Peren and an Excise Bonded Warehouse at Dimapur.
The department’s future roadmap focuses on strengthening enforcement, combating organised crime, protecting public health, enhancing governance, increasing revenue, capacity building of personnel and advancing towards a drug-free Nagaland, the release added.
The Governor stressed the need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and institutional capacity to effectively address illicit liquor and drug trafficking, while ensuring the department continues to contribute to public health, effective governance and a safer society.
The review meeting also covered drug awareness campaigns, recent seizure operations and destruction of seized drugs and liquor as part of ongoing enforcement and public outreach efforts.
Secretary, Excise and Prohibition, T Wati Aier and other officials were present during the meeting.
