The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Sale of liquor through illegal outlets to be curbed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sale of liquor through illegal outlets to be curbed

Staff Reporter

Government to take steps against distribution of liquor through unauthorised outlets

B.S. Yediyurappa

BANGALORE: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Wednesday that measures will be initiated to prevent loss of revenue on account of sale of "seconds" liquor. Officials colluding with contractors to deprive the Government of revenue will be punished, he said.

He told Pratap Chandra Shetty (Congress) during Question Hour in the Legislative Council the licences of contractors who collude with officials and distributed liquor through unauthorised outlets will be cancelled.

Vimala Gowda (Bharatiya Janata Party), Mallajamma and Umashree (both Congress) said that as per the Excise Rules, permission of gram panchayats is not required for sale of liquor within panchayat limits. This has affected the campaign against sale of liquor by women's organisations and self-help groups in rural areas. The groups are fighting a losing battle as the law does not complement their efforts, the members said.

Mr. Yediyurappa said he will ensure that no liquor outlet comes up without a permit from the Excise Department.

He told Khaji Arshad Ali (Congress) that efforts will be made to build an airport in Gulbarga as it is on the tourism circuit. He will write to the Centre seeking permission to use the Bidar Air Force Station as a civilian airport to benefit the tourism industry. Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar told K.B. Munivenkata Reddy (Congress) that the Government has no conflict with the Karnataka Public Service Commission over appointment of tahsildars.

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