KIMBERLY COLAÇO
kimberly@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Goa is all set to launch Goa Excise Management System (GEMS) software which will be used to keep a tab on every liquor bottle in the State on its journey from the manufacturers to customers or end-users. This software will eliminate the use of paper entirely as all the permissions will be granted online. The software will be installed in the computers at various outposts, excise stations, manufacturing outlets, and retail stations. Permissions will also be granted for transporting raw material like spirit to the manufactures.
With this software there will be fewer burdens on the Excise Department. Everyday there are more than 100 applications signed by the government officials for renewing licences and for permits to carry liquor from one State to another. With this software the licences can be renewed, permits can be given and payments can be made without the applicant entering the office of the Excise Department.
All stakeholders, government, the Excise Department, manufacturers and retailers will have access of the liquor imported from other States and the sales and purchases of alcohol through the software. The statistics will be readily available online.
“Especially on Friday there is a huge queue of people applying for permits because on Saturdays the office is closed this can be very taxing for the officials who are scrutinising the documents. Hence with this software the consumers’ trips to the Excise Department will be minimised. We are looking towards greener office. A lot of paper will be saved as there are six copies which have to be generated and sent to different outposts,” says KP Pariselvan, Technical Director at NIC.
NIC is also planning to have a digital signature which would mean that the liquor bottles are ready to be transported. This information will be flashing on computers at the outpost which will be scrutinised by the outpost police. In case the outpost police find the transportation illegal they have all the rights to seize the bottles.
