Now Reading: Sonitpur DM bans unregistered molasses trade to stop illegal liquor
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Sonitpur DM bans unregistered molasses trade to stop illegal liquor
Sonitpur District Magistrate Ananda Kumar Das has ordered that no person may deal in liquid molasses or molasses powder without prior registration with the district administration. The order, issued under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, aims to prevent diversion of molasses for illegal liquor production. Traders, wholesalers and retailers must register within 15 days of the order's issuance on 10 October.
The order bans sale of molasses under the guise of jaggery or its misdeclaration as jaggery. Purchasers for cattle feed or other legitimate uses must also register. Dealers must maintain records of procurement, transportation, storage and sale for inspection by authorised officers. Violations invite prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Anyone aggrieved may show cause within seven days.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The order directly targets the illegal liquor trade that has caused repeated public health crises in Assam. By forcing every molasses dealer to register within 15 days, the district administration creates a traceability chain from producer to buyer. The explicit ban on selling molasses as jaggery closes a loophole that let illicit distillers operate under a legal commodity. The ex-parte issuance shows authorities acted without prior notice, citing public order urgency. Any aggrieved party has seven days to object before the order becomes absolute. The next step is enforcement: whether the district can inspect the records and prosecute violators under Section 223 of BNS, 2023.
Source: sentinelassam.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
