The Hindu : Front Page : Excise revenue has increased: Chennigappa

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Saturday, Sep 24, 2005

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Excise revenue has increased: Chennigappa

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Excise and Sericulture Minister C. Chennigappa has said the Excise Department has taken steps to strengthen regulation of sale of liquor by setting up vigilance committees in every taluk. In the past 41 days, the excise revenue has exceeded the revenue in the corresponding period of 2004 by Rs. 21 crores, he told presspersons here on Friday.

He said the revenue target till July 31 this year was Rs. 3,025 crores. However, he is confident that an additional Rs. 400 crores was collected owing to raids all over the State, cases against bootleggers, the crackdown on liquor seconds and thirds, and steps against illegal inter-State transportation of liquor and other offences. Collection of rentals has increased in the past month, he added.

In the past 45 days, vigilance squads conducted 11,305 raids and registered 1,340 cases. As many as 1,063 persons were arrested and 145 vehicles seized. The department also raided two distilleries making illicit liquor, Mr. Chennigappa said. He said the Government recently amended the law to enable it to arrest excise rules offenders under the Goonda Act. Meanwhile, fines between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 50,000 will be imposed on liquor stores where liquor is sold loose.

The Minister said there will be no compromise on the quality of liquor manufactured at vends.

Shops where liquor is sold at rates over the maximum retail prices will be penalised and their licences withdrawn. The Government will not permit liquor shops near schools, religious places and wedding halls.

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