Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Assam minister Atul Bora met at the Civil Secretariat in Itanagar on Wednesday, 17 June for a ministerial-level excise coordination meeting, the first of its kind between the two states in recent memory. The talks centred on curbing the illicit liquor trade, improving revenue mobilisation, and establishing a structured inter-state enforcement framework.

What the Meeting Covered

Senior officials from the Finance and Excise departments of both states participated in detailed presentations on ongoing initiatives, operational challenges, and potential areas for collaboration. Key agenda items included intelligence-sharing, joint enforcement action, capacity-building among departmental personnel, and the development of mutually beneficial excise policies aimed at augmenting each state's own revenues.

The two sides also discussed creating a structured roadmap for continued engagement through periodic review meetings and institutional coordination mechanisms to address issues that cut across state boundaries.

What Chowna Mein Said

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Mein — who also holds the portfolios of Finance, Tax, Excise and Narcotics — said that excise management challenges 'require coordinated efforts, technological innovation and sustained engagement between neighbouring states.' He underscored that collaborative approaches are essential for strengthening enforcement systems and improving regulatory oversight.

Mein highlighted the longstanding relationship between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, describing it as founded on 'mutual trust, cooperation and shared aspirations for regional development and prosperity.' He expressed confidence that regular dialogue and joint initiatives would strengthen governance and protect public interest.

Assam's Position

Assam's Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Excise, Border Protection and Development, Atul Bora, attended alongside senior state officials. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in excise administration, concluding the meeting with a shared resolve to deepen institutional partnerships.

Why This Matters

The border between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has historically been a conduit for illicit liquor movement, undermining excise revenues and posing public health risks. This comes amid a broader push by northeastern states to tighten inter-state regulatory frameworks as part of wider governance reforms. Notably, both states stand to gain fiscally — excise duties are a significant component of state own-tax revenues in the Northeast, where alternative revenue streams remain limited.

The meeting concluded with both governments committing to joint action on shared enforcement concerns and a follow-up review mechanism. The next steps, including a formal roadmap and timeline for periodic inter-state meetings, are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.