Madikeri: Liquor consumption in Kodagu is on the rise. Sale of alcohol has gone up considerably in the first six months of the current year vis-à-vis the corresponding period last year.

Vigorous implementation of the amended Excise Act, effective raids to control illegal distillation and arrest of bootleggers have contributed immensely in checking the illicit liquor menace in the district in the last six months.

According to the amended Act, the offence is punishable with imprisonment up to three years and the licence of the liquor shop violating the rules can be cancelled, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Excise, Kodagu district, N.M. Hussain told The Hindu .

The consumption of Indian-made liquor (IML) has shown an increase in the last year.

Similarly, beer consumption too has gone up in the first six months this year vis-à-vis last year.

Consumption of arrack also showed a marked rise. In April 2004, 2.13 lakh litres of arrack was purchased as against 3.54 lakh litres in April 2005. Consumption was 2.07 lakh litres in May last year and 6.49 lakh litres in May 2005.

Cases

The Excise Department has been cracking down on those who are illegally distilling alcohol in several places in the district in the past six months, Mr. Hussain said.

As many as 17 cases were booked in July 2005, and 17 persons were arrested. Department officials destroyed 6,210 litres of brew (jaggery wash) in the process. In August, 14 cases were registered and 13 persons were arrested. As much as 10,085 litres of brew was destroyed. Twenty cases were registered in September and 19 persons were arrested, and 4,840 litres of brew was destroyed, Mr. Hussain said.

The department is also keeping a watch on liquor shops to prevent sale of "thirds" liquor, he added. Admitting that staff shortage has affected the functioning of the department, he said the quota for setting up additional wine shops or bars and restaurants has been exhausted in the district.

Revenue

The revenue earned in the first six months in Kodagu from the sale of liquor has shot up, according to Mr. Hussain. Revenue from sale in April last year was Rs. 1.38 crore while it was Rs. 1.90 crore in April 2005.

In May last year revenue earned was Rs. 45.74 lakhs while it was Rs. 2.04 crores in May this year. In June last year, revenue earned was Rs. 2.27 crores as aginst Rs. 4.34 crores this June. In July 2004, Rs. 6.43 crores was earned but it reduced to Rs. 3.74 crores this year.

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