PANAJI
The Excise Department has uncovered what could potentially be one of the most audacious scams in its history. Several outlets selling and serving alcohol in the northern coastal belt have fallen victim to a cunning operation allegedly masterminded by an Upper Division Clerk (UDC).
Reliable sources disclosed to The Goan that the nefarious activity centered around the issuance of fake licences and the payment receipts, which has resulted in a loss of not less than Rs 2 crore approx only for this financial year.
The epicenter of this mega scam has been the Pernem excise station, where the UDC allegedly accepted payments and issued fake receipts to unsuspecting owners of these establishments. These licence holders, unaware of the impending trouble, were left dumbfounded when the department sent notices for non-payment.
The distraught “defaulters” rushed to the department, panicking and asserting that they had indeed paid the required fees but were confronted with the startling facts.
“The Pernem excise station issued me receipts to confirm payment towards new licences and renewal was successful. The UDC made me believe that I diligently paid the fees. But the notice came as a rude shock, so when I visited the department to submit documents I possessed, I was told that the payment was never made,” one of the licence holders told The Goan, on condition of anonymity.
The businessman has paid around Rs 1 lakh towards the new licence and Rs 50,000 for renewal of two ‘seasonal licences’ in Pernem taluka.
Another licence holder confirmed that he paid Rs 50,000 for a permanent licence only to realise that he was among several dozen duped in the scam. This scam “ appears to have been running since 2017 “ has targeted many liquor operators falling under the Pernem excise station’s jurisdiction.
What’s interesting is that these licences issued not only have the signature of an excise inspector but are also ‘officially’ stamped.
Reliable sources disclosed to The Goan that the department launched an inquiry following complaints from the licence holders located along this coastal belt. It has also come to the fore that initial probe has ascertained that payment details of the affected liquor owners were never entered into the system.
“It has been a well-orchestrated scam. The staff not only issued licences and payment receipts but also managed to get the fake rubber stamp of a nationalised bank in Pernem to avoid suspicion,” a source revealed.
What’s even more shocking is that instead of facing departmental action such as suspension, the UDC has been discreetly transferred to Sattari while the inquiry continues. Several victims gathered at the excise head office to record their statement.
The Goan tried to connect with Excise Commissioner Narayan Gad for a comment but he remained unavailable. It is learnt the officer held a marathon hearing on the matter and subsequently headed to the Secretariat for a meeting, which lasted till evening.
