Lucknow, 04 Sept (HS): The Excise Department of Uttar

Pradesh is continuously showing strength in revenue collection as well as in

action against illegal liquor. In the first five months of the financial year

2026-27, i.e. from April to August, the department has earned a revenue of

about Rs 24, 795.52 crore. In the same period of the previous financial year,

this figure was Rs 22, 337.62 crore. In this way, an increase of Rs 2, 457.90

crore i.e. about 11 percent has been registered in the revenue in five months.

The revenue target of the Excise Department for the current financial year is

Rs 71,278 crore, against which about 34.8 percent of the target has been

achieved in five months.

3,933.10 crore revenue collected in August: In August, the

department collected revenue of Rs 3,933.10 crore, whereas in the same month

last year, Rs 3,754.43 crore was received. That means Rs 178.67 crore more

revenue was received in August and the growth rate was 104.76 percent. Before

this, revenue of Rs 5,248.06 crore was received in April, Rs 5,387.63 crore in

May, Rs 5,173.87 crore in June and Rs 5,052.86 crore in July. In July, an

increase of 16.04 percent was recorded as compared to last year.

Continuous crackdown on illegal liquor, thousands of cases

filed: Along with revenue growth, the department's campaign against the

manufacture, sale, and smuggling of illicit liquor is also continuing. From

April to June 2026, 29,294 cases were registered, and 9.01 lakh liters of

illicit liquor and narcotics were seized. During this period, 4,673 people were

arrested, 819 accused were jailed, and 30 vehicles used in smuggling were

seized. In July, 9,769 cases were registered, 2.34 lakh liters of illicit

liquor was recovered, and 1,704 people were arrested, while 271 accused were

jailed. In August, enforcement teams continued raids, patrols, and checking in

the districts. During an operation in the Chanda area of Sultanpur in August,

110 kg of mahua was destroyed and 12 liters of illicit raw liquor was

recovered.

Emphasis on transparent system and zero tolerance: Minister

of State (Independent Charge) for Excise and Prohibition, Nitin Agarwal, said

that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Excise

Department is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against illicit liquor,

including revenue collection. Revenue is steadily increasing due to transparent

systems, technical monitoring, and effective enforcement. The government's goal

is not only to increase revenue, but also to completely curb the illegal and

toxic liquor trade.

Campaign underway to crack down on illicit liquor

manufacturing: Excise Commissioner Dr. Adarsh Singh stated that the

department's teams are continuously campaigning against the manufacture, sale,

and smuggling of illicit liquor, along with revenue collection. Special

surveillance, raids, and checking have been increased in sensitive areas in

August. Strict action is being taken against those involved in the illicit

liquor trade, as per the law, and this campaign will continue.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi