MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Inland Revenue Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has decided to take strict action against unstamped (illegal) cigarettes through significant amendments to the Excise Act 2005.
The amendments aim to regulate the manufacture, storage, and sale of cigarettes in the region.
The statement issued by the revenue department stated that only the sale of cigarettes with tax stamps, barcodes, labels, or bandrolls will be considered legal and legitimate.
“The manufacture and sale of cigarettes without tax stamps, barcodes, labels, or bandroles will be banned,” it added.
In the event of a violation, not only unstamped cigarettes but also the means of transportation used for their distribution, such as vehicles, can be seized on the spot.
In this regard, Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue Incharge Excise Circle Muzaffarabad, Shakeel Ahmed, has warned cigarette sellers and suppliers not to buy and sell cigarettes without stamps, barcode labels, and bandroles.
