The Hindu : Karnataka News : Will arrack ban be effective?

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Sunday, Jul 01, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Will arrack ban be effective?

Staff Correspondent

Excise Department to keep track of manufacturers and sellers

DAVANGERE: The Excise Department will implement the ban on manufacture and sale of arrack in Davangere district from Sunday.

The Excise Department had closed an arrack manufacturing unit of a reputed distillery run by a politician on Friday. The unit had been manufacturing over 6 lakh litres of arrack a day, for several years, according to the Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Davangere district, S.T. Gowdar.

Mr.Gowdar said there were over 512 arrack shops and 720 arrack vendors in Davangere district and the department was getting a revenue of Rs .6.5 crore a month from the sale of arrack in the district.

The Excise Department had prepared a list of arrack vendors in the district and it would keep track of them to ensure they do not manufacture or sell arrack.

There were 17 arrack manufacturing units in the State and arrack was being supplied from these units to any part of the State as there were no restrictions over the supply of arrack.

Power to department

The State Government has given power to the Excise Department to recommend the arrest of those found guilty of selling arrack or illicit liquor.

The Excise Department employees will be treated as enforcement crew from Sunday. enforcement of the ban. According to sources in the Excise Department, the Police Department which also does not have sufficient staff, was reluctant to take an active role in the enforcement.

However, owners of liquor shops and bars have their doubts over the implementation of the ban. Manjanna, a liquor shop owner wondered how the Excise Department would impose the ban when they had staff shortage.

The Excise Department officials defended the ban and said the Government had gone ahead after it received several complaints from women and self-help groups.

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