: The Excise Department had charged cases against 805 persons in Operation Yuva, a raid against tobacco/drugs peddlers and users, said Excise Minister K. Babu.
Speaking after taking the salute at the passing-out parade of civil excise officers and excise drivers at the Excise Academy at Puthole here on Saturday, the Minister said the department would continue the raid in the coming days.
“The operation is meant to check the abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among students and youth. Excise officials in plainclothes conducted the operation near schools and colleges.”
He said cases had been registered against people for sale and use of cigarettes and pan masala. In addition, 2,440 litres of illicit spirit had been seized from various places in the State, the Minister said. In all 232 people were arrested during the operation.
In his address, the Minister said the Excise Academy would provide training to officials from other States too. Additional facilities for this purpose had been made at the academy, he added.
The Excise Department was concentrating on awareness programmes in addition to enforcement, the Minister said.
He said awareness against drugs/alcohol would be included in the syllabi of classes V to VII. Such lessons had already been included in the syllabi of Class V, VII and IX. In the next phase, it would be included in the syllabi of Class VI, VIII, XI and XII.
Mobile lab
A mobile test lab to examine intoxicants had already been started functioning in the south region. Such labs would soon be opened in the central and north regions too. Revision of pay for excise drivers would be implemented soon, the Minister said.
The Minister took the salute at the passing-out parade of the 97 civil excise officers and 27 excise drivers trained at the Excise Academy. They included one B.Tech. graduate, one MBA holder, seven postgraduates, and 40 graduates.
Excise Commissioner Anil Xavier, Additional Commissioner Jeevan Babu, Mayor Rajan Pallan and senior officials participated.
Awareness against drugs/alcohol to be included in the syllabi of classes V to VII
