Shillong, Oct 1: The Meghalaya Excise Department has set a target to generate over ₹500 crore in revenue for the current financial year by introducing a QR code-based tracking system on liquor bottles. This move aims to curb leakages and enhance revenue collection by an estimated 5 to 10 percent.
Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla informed on Tuesday that the government plans to replace the existing hologram system with QR codes to better track and manage the sale of liquor. While the hologram system has helped reduce leakages, Shylla explained that the government seeks greater efficiency with the adoption of this new technology.
“Our revenue generation has been increasing steadily each year. This year, we are targeting over ₹500 crore in revenue from liquor sales, which will be our contribution to the government,” Shylla stated.
The QR code system is expected to be fully operational within two to three months. In the meantime, the government has extended the contract of the company supplying holograms, as a trace-and-track mechanism is essential to prevent illegal activities in the liquor market.
Shylla emphasized that the QR codes will prevent product duplication, with each bottle assigned a unique code. Any instances of duplication will result in accountability measures against the companies involved. The minister also mentioned recent incidents of attempts to produce and bottle unauthorised liquor, noting that the new system would help mitigate such illegal activities.
Finally, Shylla clarified that despite the introduction of this system, liquor prices in Meghalaya will remain lower than those in neighboring Assam, and there are no plans to increase current rates.
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