Minister Incharge of Excise Kyrmen Shylla on Thursday informed that the State Government is likely to introduce QR code tracking for liquor bottles from September this year.
The system, described as a robust digital safeguard against leakages and unauthorized liquor trade, will allow authorities to monitor the entire supply chain—right from bottling to the retailer’s shelf—ensuring accountability and transparency in one of the state’s most lucrative revenue streams.
Talking to media persons in Shillong, Shylla said, “We were suppose to roll out QE Code within August itself but due to constrain of time and then sometimes has been requested by the people who are making this QR code to be incorporated so we have extend it to some more time and we want Chief Minister to be present there to inaugurate it. We have given them some more time.”
Highlighting how the mechanism will work, Shylla explained, “It will monitor from one to end, right from the bottling to the retailer shop so that kind of monitering system will be introduced where there will be no leakage.”
The Minister admitted that while the Excise Department had initially been “in a hurry to complete it within August itself,” logistical delays and requests from contractors have pushed the launch to September. “We are trying to do it in September, actually we are in a hurry to complete it within August itself but due to constrain of time and some more time has been asked by the contractors so extend the time till September,” he said.
On the issue of spurious liquor, Shylla added, “As of now we have seen some people still trying to make liquor which is not authorised, so we are trying to stop all those things.”
The initiative comes months after the State Cabinet approved the Excise Department’s proposal for QR code-based tracking of IMFL bottles, a move aimed at plugging loopholes, streamlining supply, and curbing illegal distillation.
When asked about revenue generation, Shylla stated, “We are trying to generate more excise revenue and keep increasing. This year too we will try to cross the previous revenue generation. It looks like to be in the increasing trend but I don’t have details with me.”
