In view of the news reports published in a section of newspapers of Assam regarding easy availability of sugarcane molasses and jaggery and the resultant spurt in the production of illegal country liquor, Food and Civil Supplies Department on Tuesday clarified that jaggery was delisted from Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2006 by the then Central Government and its supply is not controlled by the Government.
Also read: Assam Government imposes blanket ban on ‘laligur’ used in country liquor
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The Department, through a statement on Tuesday, said that the WT message referred to in the news item which was sent by the department to all districts on June 15, 2018 only clarified that jaggery being a delisted item in Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2006, the district administration machinery need not control its movement or circulation.
The Department also strongly refuted the allegation of State Government patronizing the flow of jaggery into the market making it easily available for the producers of spurious liquor. It also maintained that jaggery being the open market item its circulation is not controlled by the government.