Jabalpur Excise Officer Faces Action Over 'Sagar Gold' Ban

Sanjeev Kumar Dubey, the assistant excise commissioner of Jabalpur, is facing action for banning the sale of 'Sagar Gold' liquor without conducting a chemical test or obtaining permission from the competent authority.

The ban was issued on September 6, following reports of deaths in Sagar district due to the consumption of spurious liquor sold under the same brand name. Dubey had described the liquor as toxic and prohibited its sale across Jabalpur district.

However, the Commercial Tax Department has served him a show-cause notice, seeking an explanation within 15 days. The department has stated that Dubey's action violated Rule 5 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966, and is punishable under Rule 10 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.

Dubey had initially directed all assistant district excise officers and excise sub-inspectors to stop the sale of 'Sagar Gold', seal and seize stocks, and send the liquor for forensic testing. The ban was to continue until the test report arrived, with strict action proposed for violations.

Later that day, he amended the order after the Jabalpur control room reported nil stock of 'Sagar Gold' in the district. Officials were then directed to conduct general checks at liquor shops and take effective action in areas manufacturing country-made liquor, with no other action required.

This is not the first time Dubey has faced action. He was removed as Bhopal assistant excise commissioner in 2021 following complaints of illegal liquor transportation, an issue raised by Congress in the Vidhan Sabha. His name had also cropped up in a Rs 41 crore fake treasury challan case in Indore years ago.

The government had then removed him from Indore and posted him in Dhar. The current action against Dubey is a result of his hasty decision to ban the sale of 'Sagar Gold' liquor without following the proper protocol.

The Madhya Pradesh government has been taking steps to curb the sale of spurious liquor in the state, and Dubey's action was likely an attempt to prevent further deaths. However, his failure to follow the proper procedure has landed him in trouble.

The Commercial Tax Department's show-cause notice to Dubey is a reminder that officials must follow the rules and procedures in place, even in emergency situations. The department's warning of an ex parte decision if Dubey fails to reply within the stipulated period highlights the seriousness of the situation.

The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of the state's excise department in preventing the sale of spurious liquor. The fact that Dubey was able to ban the sale of 'Sagar Gold' liquor without conducting a chemical test or obtaining permission from the competent authority suggests that there may be loopholes in the system.

In conclusion, the action against Dubey is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to curb the sale of spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh. It highlights the need for officials to follow the proper protocol and procedures, even in emergency situations, and raises questions about the effectiveness of the state's excise department.

The incident is a reminder that the state government must take a proactive approach to preventing the sale of spurious liquor and ensuring that officials follow the rules and procedures in place. This is essential to preventing further deaths and ensuring public safety.

The Madhya Pradesh government must take steps to address the loopholes in the system and ensure that officials are held accountable for their actions. This is crucial to maintaining public trust and confidence in the government's ability to prevent the sale of spurious liquor.

In the end, the action against Dubey serves as a warning to officials to follow the proper protocol and procedures, and highlights the need for the state government to take a proactive approach to preventing the sale of spurious liquor.