Now, liquor bottles to come with security holograms in J&K

"Security holograms on liquor bottles in the state have been launched from August 1 to ensure quality and to check smuggled and illicit liquor in the market," a senior officer of J&K Excise Department told PTI.

The holograms procured by the excise department have been provided to all liquor manufacturing factories, distilleries and those agencies importing liquor from outside by the excise department, he said.

"Now, no bottle without security hologram can be brought into the market for sale and bottles without security hologram would be seized," he said, adding that action as per rules would be taken.

All the bottles manufactured or bottled in liquor plants will have a code, serial number besides security holograms, he said.

"This will also boost the revenue as seen in other states which have made holograms a must in liquor bottles," Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said.

Rather stressed on strict enforcement of various measures, including the hologram decision, and better coordination to check smuggling of illicit liquor.

As many as 222 people were arrested in 3,276 raids and 75,910 kg of lahan (illicit liquor) destroyed during the last fiscal, Excise Commissioner Vineeta Gupta said.

The department has also recovered Rs 27.23 lakh in penalties from the offenders, she said.