Kolkata, July 26: The West Bengal Excise Department Introduces “Talking Pens” to Tackle Liquor Counterfeiting
In an effort to combat the rising issue of counterfeit liquor, the West Bengal Excise Department has taken a decisive step by mandating all authorized excise licensees in the state, including on-shops, off-shops, and bars, to use special “Talking Pens” on their premises. These electronic devices will play a crucial role in verifying the authenticity of packaged liquor bottles.
The “Talking Pens” serve as a reliable tool to inspect the new bi-colour holograms affixed to each liquor bottle, enabling licensees to easily verify the genuineness of the products they sell.
According to a recently accessed copy of the order by IANS, the state Excise Directorate has directed all authorized excise licensees to promptly procure these “Talking Pens” from the government-run Saraswaty Press Ltd. The cost of each device is set at Rs 3,000, which includes an 18 per cent GST. Additionally, a charging cable will be provided along with each device.
The decision to implement these electronic devices comes in response to an increasing number of complaints from customers regarding the purchase of spurious liquor from retail outlets. Unscrupulous elements have been resorting to faking the bottling, labels, packaging, and even holograms, making it challenging for ordinary customers to identify counterfeit packages at the time of purchase. The deception often comes to light only after consumption, leading to health and safety concerns.
An official from the State Excise Department explained that the newly introduced “Talking Pens” will play a pivotal role in identifying the authenticity of the bi-colour holograms on liquor bottles. By employing this verification process, customers can be assured of the genuineness of the product they are buying.
With this innovative initiative, the West Bengal Excise Department aims to restore consumer confidence, protect public health, and curb the illicit trade of counterfeit liquor in the state. The implementation of the “Talking Pens” is expected to create a safer and more reliable environment for liquor consumers and elevate the overall integrity of the liquor industry.
