revenue department has worked out a new framework for expeditious disposal of seized foreign liquor lying with Customs formations, including defence establishments, in absence of a response from bidders. seized/confiscated alcohol will w be disposed of by liquor disposal committees at various Customs locations.

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Liquor disposal committee

Under extant guidelines, seized or confiscated liquor is disposed by various means including sales to Canteen Stores Department (CSD), or defence establishments, Indian Tourism Development Corporation, or hotels.

In a circular, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said it has been brought to its tice that Customs field formations are facing difficulties in disposing of seized foreign origin liquor due to lack of response from CSD or from or defence establishments.

Also, re is a lack of response from or bidders on account of problems associated with getting clearance from state excise department and food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI), it said in circular. At present, CSD is buying liquor of foreign brands directly in bulk quantity. As seized/confiscated liquor is in assorted brands and in different quantities, CSD is t in a position to buy stock from Customs, CBIC ted.

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FSSAI has also categorically emphasized that without obtaining a -objection certificate (C) from it, imported liquor should t be released for market for sale or consumption, and if sampling is t feasible in case of a seized lot, n such stock should be destroyed by Customs.

In view of difficulties faced by authorities, CBIC has decided that Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs should constitute 'liquor disposal committee'. committee would order disposal of seized/confiscated liquor and also vise respective investigation section/ncy on steps to be initiated for expeditious disposal of confiscated liquor.

On modes of disposal, CBIC said stock of liquor for which Cs from FSSAI are obtained should be disposed of through e-auction. In case it is t possible to obtain C from FSSAI, stock should be destroyed, CBIC ded. 

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