JORHAT, July 5 - An awareness meeting on the New (Amended) Excise Act, 2018, was organised by Golaghat district administration and Excise department in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Golaghat on Tuesday.
A district administration source stated that the meeting in this regard was held at the Golaghat Circuit House under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner Shyamal Kshetra Gogoi with advocate Nitul Bora as the resource person.
Speaking at the meeting, Golaghat district Superintendent of Excise, Bhoben Phukan said that programme was organised for the Excise department officials and staff to make them understand the finer nuances of the newly amended Act, the source said.
Phukon hoped that after understanding the new provisions of the law, the department officials and staff could implement the Act more vigorously.
Advocate Nitul Bora, in his address, welcomed the amendments to the Act and said that through proper implementation, the Act can go a long way in addressing the menace of illicit liquor trade in the society.
Answering several questions related to difficulties faced by officials of the Excise department, advocate Bora said that there was a need to spread more awareness about the Act at the grassroots level.
The Golaghat Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Partha Pratim Saikia and Circle Inspector of Dergaon, Manik Goswami also spoke at the meeting. They stressed on several issues related to the subject matter like preparation of case diaries and other paper work.
The programme was also attended by several police officials from across the district and other social organisations.
Van Mahotsav in Golaghat: The 69th Van Mahotsav was observed in Golaghat on July 3 with plantation drives carried out at various locations across the district. A ceremonious plantation drive was carried out at Sati Sadhani Kalakshetra, Selengi in Golaghat district as part of the weeklong event.
A district administration source stated that an appeal to people to reduce use of plastics was given by the Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Gaurav Bothra.
He asked the people to reduce the use of plastics and avoid use of any coloured plastic bags of less than 50 microns strength to prevent environment hazard, the source said. Bothra said that an enforcement squad has also been formed to ensure strict compliance of the directive.
The Deputy Commissioner asked the citizens to plant at least two saplings during the mahotsav and come forward to join the movement to save the environment, the source said.
Golaghat Additional Deputy Commissioner Orpah Baglary, DFO (Social Forestry) Saidul Islam, District Cultural Affairs Officer Rabijyoti Baruah, District Information and Public Relations Officer Neena Baruah and heads of various departments were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department has also started an intensive plantation drive by involving various cooperative societies under its jurisdiction, the source added.