Chandigarh, May 16 (IANS): Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday directed the police department to crack down on all kinds of liquor smuggling, bootlegging and illicit distillation of liquor to protect the cash-strapped state from incurring revenue losses due to such activities.

The Chief Minister has ordered immediate action against police officers in whose areas such activity is seen taking place, and strict proceedings against any government officer or official found negligent or supporting any illegal activity in any manner relating to distillation, smuggling and distribution of liquor.

On the directives of the Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta has issued necessary directives to identify liquor smugglers, suppliers and bootleggers, district-wise and police station-wise, by May 23.

The officers have been asked to take all possible legal action against all such persons, including under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management and Epidemics Act.

The DGP said the Chief Minister has made it clear that due to acute economic and financial stress all over the world and India, arising out of the curfew and lockdown to contain the spread of Covid, the state government needs to mobilize all possible revenue.

Thus it cannot afford any loss of revenue on account of smuggling of liquor from outside the state, or on account of illicit distillation of liquor or bootlegging, he said.

In pursuance of the Chief Minister's orders, the police officers have been asked to put the SHOs of all police stations, especially the bordering police stations on notice, and direct them to ensure that no smuggling of liquor into Punjab takes place.

The DGP warned that in case of failure to do so, the SHO concerned will be shifted out, and necessary departmental action taken against him as well as the defaulters.

Any government officer and official found supporting any illegal activity would be proceeded against very strongly, as directed by the Chief Minister, he added.