HOLLONGI, Feb 24: Large quantities of illegal tobacco products were seized and the sellers were penalised under Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 during a market inspection-cum-awareness drive carried out by the Papum Pare district administration on Friday in Hollongi market and shops near Donyi Polo Airport.
Furthermore, illegally stored liquor were seized under Section 34 of the Arunachal Pradesh Excise Act, 1993 from many shops and resorts operating along the Itanagar-Hollongi highway. All the seized items were later disposed of on the premises of Hollongi Police Check Post here.
A team from the DA, led by Circle Officer Pura Rallo and Trade Development Officer Tai Arun, inspected all the business establishments and shops, and verified their trading licenses and other relevant documents.
The team sensitised the shopkeepers and the public about legal trade practices and related laws like the Arunachal Pradesh Excise Act, 1993, the COTPA, 2003, food safety & trading license guidelines, etc.
During the inspection, expired trading licenses were renewed and on request of shopkeepers, new trade items were added in their trading licenses, while shops found operating without trading license were served notices to obtain license from the authority concerned.
The inspection team also comprised of district consultant DTCC Tamchi Yabi, Tax & Excise Inspector Nabam Apo, Trade & Commerce Inspector Tabia Amko, police personnel and other staff of Department of Trade & Commerce. (DIPRO)