Punjab to overhaul 'track & trace' system to curb liquor smuggling

THE SYSTEM, CURRENTLY RELIANT ON QR CODES, HAS FACED CRITICISM FOR INEFFICIENCIES

- Ravinder Vasudeva

CHANDIGARH: In a move aimed at curbing the rampant smuggling of liquor and improving the state's existing monitoring system, the Punjab excise department has decided to overhaul its current track and trace system, which has been found to have significant flaws.

The system, currently reliant on QR codes, has faced criticism for inefficiencies, especially with reports of smugglers bypassing it to supply liquor to bootleggers.

To address these issues, the excise department has reached out to the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), requesting them to finalize the procedure for hiring a new vendor to implement an improved end-to-end online and offline track and trace system.

On Monday, PIDB officials held a detailed meeting to discuss the process of selecting the company responsible for executing this crucial project.