TEAM HERALD
BELGAUM: Curbs on the flow of Goa-made liquor into Karnataka, a ban on hooch manufacture in villages and the sale of all liquor brands with prescribed MRP rates has enabled the Karnataka Excise Department to boost local liquor sales in Karnataka this year.
According to state excise authorities, liquor sales in Karnataka have increased by a whopping 63 per cent in the last three years.
Speaking to media persons here, Joint Commissioner of Excise Vishwaroop informed that Karnataka has registered a sale of Rs 12,700 crore in 2013-14 and these sales are expected to shoot up to Rs 14,600 crore this financial year.
“The rise in sale is also attributed to the retail outlets by MSIL outlets, where all liquor brands are made available at MRP rates in Karnataka since the last couple of years,” informed Vishwaroop.
“Due to the heavy flow of Goa-made liquor through the illicit liquor trade, a rise in illicit hooch distilleries in rural areas and unwarranted pricing by retailers had caused a decline in liquor sales in Karnataka, affecting the excise revenue of the state. However, the turnaround started from 2010, when the government initiated stringent measures to promote the IML manufactured in Karnataka,” he said.
“In 2012-13, revenue from beer sale was Rs 543 crore while it was Rs 762 crore in 2013-14. Today, Karnataka stands third in sale of liquor after Punjab and Kerala.”
“Bangalore city has recorded highest sale of liquor and ranks fifth among all cities in India. This is because government has permitted late night operation of bars and restaurants in the city,” Vishwaroop said.
“From 530 lakh cartons in 2010, liquor sale has increased to 769 lakh cartons during this financial year. However, this is certainly a reason to worry as far as health of the people is concerned,” he added.
Meanwhile, though Karnataka has maintained stricter vigil on transactions of all liquor dealers in the state, especially in the areas bordering Goa, sources told Herald that the flow of Goan liquor continues unabated in Belgaum, Karwar and other neighbouring places.
