State Excise puts up charter of demands

DIMAPUR, APRIL 15 (MExN): The department of Excise & Prohibition has put up a three-point charter of demands before the government, which includes change in nomenclature, uniforms for district Excise chiefs and sanctioning of additional human power. The demands were handed over to Parliamentary Secretary for Excise, Economics & Statistics, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, T. Torechu by the Commissioner of Excise, Maongwati Aier at a meeting held today at the Directorate of Excise, Dimapur. It was the first visit of Torechu to the office since taking charge of the department in March.

Making public the proposal, the Excise Commissioner said that the issue of distinct uniforms for the Superintendents of Excise, heading the respective districts, has become essential in view of the recent issue of arms to the department’s personnel. This measure is being recommended so as to avoid confusion and any apprehension that might arise, added Aier. On the change of nomenclature, Aier said that the Excise should be renamed as the department of Excise & Narcotics as it is also empowered to deal with narcotics and offences related to it. With regard to the third proposal, Aier said the department requires at least fifty more constables as the district Excise branches have on average around twenty constables per district. 

Besides, in the present circumstance, the department requires three more officers in the rank of Superintendents to take charge of Peren, Longleng and Kiphire since the Excise branches in the three districts have been functioning without officers of that rank till date, while an additional nine officers in the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Excise are required, it was stated.    

Strengthening the Nagaland Excise has been a long felt requirement of the department, which have at present only 264 personnel. Parliamentary Secretary, Torechu responding to the proposal said that it has to be worked out.

Earlier, the Excise Commissioner had mentioned that the state Cabinet has already met twice and deliberated on the proposal for change in nomenclature. 

Calling for teamwork and coordination among the ranks as well as outside of it, Torechu said that working together and coordinating with each other will go a long way in revamping the department as its performance. “Unless you and I personally involve, nothing will change.” The impression of the Excise on the public is quite poor, a notion fringing on consternation, and that which the department has to overcome, said Torechu.