Dibrugarh: Dhemaji administration has tightened controls on molasses over its alleged diversion for illicit liquor.Dhemaji district magistrate Rahul Suresh Javir issued the order on Wednesday under Section 152 of the BNSS, 2023.The administration said liquid molasses and molasses powder brought into Assam were being diverted to manufacture or distil country liquor and illicit or spurious liquor.The order said the manufacture, sale and consumption of illicit or spurious liquor “pose a serious threat to public health, safety and human life”.No person or business may store, transport, sell or buy the commodities in Dhemaji without registration, which must be completed within 15 days.The requirement also applies to persons procuring them for bona fide cattle feed or industrial or agricultural purposes.The administration prohibited the sale, storage, transportation or distribution of molasses by misdeclaring or falsely labelling it as jaggery.“Any person, firm, transporter, wholesaler or retailer found indulging in such acts shall be liable for prosecution under the relevant provisions of law,” the order read.Dealers must maintain procurement, transport, storage and sale records. Violations could invite prosecution under Section 223 of the BNSS and other applicable laws.
