Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Following the recent uncovering of a major tax evasion racket by Goa Excise officials, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that local Excise Department personnel are involved in the smuggling of liquor between Goa and Haryana. The party has called for an in-depth investigation by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also oversees the Excise Department.
Amit Palekar, president of AAP’s Goa unit, claimed that liquor is being secretly smuggled out of Goa and illegally imported from Haryana, leading to a significant loss of revenue for the state. He further accused the Goa Excise Department of being complicit in the operation and urged the Chief Minister to take swift action.
“Trucks carrying illegal liquor are regularly caught at the Maharashtra and Karnataka borders, indicating that they manage to leave Goa without proper checks,” Palekar said.
The controversy intensified after a truck registered in Haryana was intercepted at the Patradevi checkpost last Wednesday. The truck, carrying luxury liquor brands such as Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Black Label, had evaded over Rs 1 crore in duties.
Palekar’s remarks have raised concerns over the involvement of local officials in this smuggling network, with the AAP calling for immediate steps to curb the illegal activity.
