Shoma Patnaik
Panaji
Increased monitoring is in store for Goa’s liquor business operators with the Excise Department planning to use track-and-trace software that will establish the footprints of each alcoholic beverage sold within
the state.
The software comes together with fixing of high-security excise adhesive labels (HSEAL) for all liquor bottles to uniquely identify and authenticate each product.
The department aims to plug leakages in revenue through the proposed software as well as gather information on end-to-end product movement.
The other benefits of the track-and-trace software is to detect the presence of counterfeit or non-duty paid liquor in the market, stop unauthorised distribution, and prevent diversion, says the tender document floated by the department through the Goa
Electronics Ltd.
The document says the Excise Department is responsible for regulating and monitoring the manufacture, import, transport, storage, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages.
As a key revenue generator, the department is responsible for ensuring strict compliance with excise laws, the prevention of illicit trade, and the safeguarding of revenue through effective regulatory mechanisms and enforcement.
Currently the liquor industry is monitored through a combination of administrative processes and digital systems such as the Goa Excise Management System (GEMS). However, despite GEMS, “there exists a significant gap in bottle-level (unit-level) traceability, controlled label lifecycle management, and real-time visibility of liquor bottles across the entire supply chain – from production or import and to final point of sale.”
The existing system also has limited capability for centralised analytics, anomaly detection, and real-time enforcement insights across the lifecycle of labels and products, says the tender document.
It mentions that supply chain in the Goan liquor industry is increasing in complexity and there is a need for stronger regulatory mechanism that is comprehensive, technology-driven, and centrally monitored. The department plans to integrate the track-and-trace system with the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) of the Environment Department to reduce plastic, metal and glass container waste.
The forthcoming software will also be linked to GEMS.
The tender is for selection of agency for design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of 2D code-based track & trace system along with secure printing and supply of HSEAL for liquor bottles in the state.
