Putting an end to the speculations regarding whether drinking in public places be considered an offence, the excise department has made an amendment according to which, consumption of alcohol in a public place is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs 50000 or/and imprisonment upto six months.
The amendment further states that the punishment for unlawful possession in cases such as duty evaded intoxicants has been increased to imprisonment for up to five years with a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.
A penalty for non payment of duty fees has been newly inserted, making the offence punishable with imprisonment for a term upto three years and with fine upto 300 % of the duty, fee or other levies due from the licence holders.
Other amendments have been made in the Assam Excise Act 2000 regarding recovery of dues from defaulters, penaty for unlawful import and breach of licence.