Punjab Moves to Fully Automate Liquor Tracking with QR Codes
Punjab has made a decisive move to completely automate its existing QR code-based track and trace system. This initiative aims to tackle excise duty evasion, stop the circulation of spurious and counterfeit liquor, and enable effective monitoring of liquor movement across the entire supply chain in the state.
Current System Faces Challenges
At present, QR codes are manually pasted on each bottle and liquor case. This manual process leaves significant room for human error. In many instances, the codes are either improperly affixed or become damaged, which directly affects traceability. The current method also hampers production efficiency in high-volume manufacturing units.
New Automated System Details
Under the proposed automated system, end-to-end tracking will cover country liquor (CL), Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), beer, and imported foreign liquor (IFL). The system will affix a unique QR code on every bottle or can and a corresponding case barcode on each carton.
Tracking will begin at distilleries and import points. It will then extend to bonded warehouses and continue all the way up to retail vends. This provides real-time visibility of liquor movement for the excise department and other authorized stakeholders.
Key Objectives and Features
The primary goal is to strengthen supply chain monitoring and improve enforcement against counterfeit products. This will be achieved through enhanced tracking and traceability, generating real-time inventory across the liquor supply chain.
The system also aims to ensure accurate assessment of excise duty on each liquor bottle leaving manufacturers. It will curb the outflow of non-duty-paid liquor by affixing QR code labels along with holograms received from the India Security Press in Nasik.
Official Statement
Punjab Excise Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal stated that the system would enhance transparency and accountability in the trade. He emphasized that seamless real-time integration of all modules in automated mode would enable stronger enforcement of the excise policy.
Technical Implementation
The department has initiated the process of engaging a firm to develop an end-to-end software solution. This solution will operate in both offline (pre-mapped) and online (post-mapped) modes. The choice of mode will rest with the manufacturing or importing entity, based on their operational requirements and suitability.
The complete solution will include:
- A full software platform
- Integration with existing legacy systems
- Supply of stationery and ribbons required for printing QR labels
Security Measures
QR codes will be printed in high-quality ink on both ends of the track and trace label. The label material and adhesive will be of such quality that any attempt to remove or replace it will leave a visible mark or pattern on the cap or neck of the bottle. This feature is specifically designed to discourage counterfeiting.
For this purpose, the stationery used for printing QR codes and case barcodes will be polypropylene-based. The software will generate unique, randomly generated QR codes and case barcodes that are digitally secured against duplication and remain easily scannable.
System Capabilities
The new system will enable excise officers to have end-to-end visibility of a product's movement. It will allow switching between offline and online mapping modes and generate real-time logs of mapped data. The system provides a controlled mechanism for destruction of unusable labels with recorded reasons.
It will integrate permits and passes generated through the e-Abkari portal with hand-held terminal devices. The platform will generate alerts in case of duplicate generation or re-scanning. The system will maintain permanent, non-deletable data and update records in real time at the point of scanning.
Additional Integrations
The platform will integrate with boom barrier systems and GPS lock or smart lock systems. This enables real-time tracking of consignments from manufacturers to their destination. The system will record damage, shortages, wastage and breakages of finished liquor products at the point of destination against the respective pass.
It ensures end-to-end tracking of dispatched consignments. The system will be seamlessly integrated with existing departmental applications, including the NIC-managed e-Abkari portal.
Initial integration will focus on the permit and pass management system, along with other e-Abkari modules, boom barrier systems, GPS lock or smart lock service providers, and the Computerisation of Value Added Tax Information System (COVIS).
Mobile Applications and Consumer Verification
The platform will include mobile-based applications compatible with both iOS and Android. These applications will enable excise officers to conduct real-time field inspections, ensure accurate data capture, and maintain transparency through hierarchy-based access to inspection data.
At the retail level, scanners will not be required. However, consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of liquor bottles through SMS, website applications, and mobile applications.
Reporting and Support
The system will generate Management Information System (MIS) dashboards and reports covering inventory management, reconciliation, brand-wise production, dispatch, receipt, label tracking and periodic assessments on daily, monthly and annual basis. These reports will support managerial control and data-driven decision-making.
A centralized helpdesk with at least four personnel fluent in English, Hindi and the vernacular language will be set up at the excise department's Mohali head office. This helpdesk will operate from 9 am to 8 pm every day.
