Governor Nand Kishore Yadav reviewed the functioning of the Department of Excise and Prohibition at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, on Monday, with discussions focusing on enforcement activities, revenue collection, infrastructure and challenges faced by the department.
The department presented its mandate under the Nagaland Excise Act, 1967, Nagaland Excise Rules, 1972, Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Rules, 1990, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Reviewing enforcement activities from April 2021 to March 2026, the department reported cases registered under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act and drug-related cases. Seizures during the period included Indian-made foreign liquor, country liquor, poppy straw, opium, heroin, cough syrup and other drugs in capsule and tablet forms.
The department reported excise revenue collection of Rs 2,250.66 lakh, or Rs 22.51 crore, during the five-year period. Annual revenue increased from Rs 317.36 lakh in 2021-22 to Rs 591.96 lakh in 2025-26.
The review also covered infrastructure development under the Excise Housing Programme for 2025-26, including construction of Excise offices at Phek and Peren and an Excise Bonded Warehouse at Dimapur. The department also highlighted drug awareness campaigns, seizure operations and destruction of seized drugs and liquor.
Among the challenges identified were porous borders, manpower shortages, the absence of a cadre review since the department’s inception, discontinuation of inter-district check-gates, outdated firearms, limited operational mobility and continued demand for illicit liquor. The department said its personnel-to-population ratio was 1:6,000, compared with 1:2,000 in Mizoram.
The department’s future roadmap focuses on strengthening enforcement, combating organised crime, protecting public health, improving governance, increasing revenue and building personnel capacity, with the goal of achieving a drug-free Nagaland.
The Governor stressed the need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and institutional capacity to address illicit liquor and drug trafficking while contributing to public health, effective governance and a safer society.
Secretary, Excise and Prohibition, T. Wati Aier, and other officials attended the meeting.