Illegal liquor sales in some parts of Karnataka can be regularised, suggests Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Dec 9 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday suggested that illegal liquor sales, bars in some parts of the state can be regularised.

Participating in a discussion in the Assembly on an issue raised by JD(S) floor leader C B Suresh Babu, who alleged that the liquor was being sold illegally at petty shops in his Chikkanayakanahalli constituency, the Deputy CM said that he recently requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to legalise unauthorised bars in the coastal region of the state.

"In the coastal belt, we are not permitting bars in some places. Still, beer is being sold there on the beaches. Instead, we should officially give them licences, in my opinion. Instead of illegal sales taking place on beaches, licences can be given to them. This is my personal opinion," he said.

Further advocating regularisation of possession of liquor beyond permissible limits, Shivaumar said, "There are restrictions that one can't keep more than seven bottles at home, but we keep getting bottles from visitors. So some regularisation should be done, or else there will be Income Tax cases and raids. Whether we know it or not, these things are happening illegally. So we need to discuss regularisation." Senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar emphatically asked the government to permit the supply of liquor on quick commerce platforms, stating that it will increase the government's income.

He also said, according to the information available to him, that the gig workers were being used to deliver drugs through quick commerce platforms, and the government should not demonstrate its helplessness in this regard.

"Society and youngsters are getting spoiled," he stated.

Responding to this, Home Minister G Parameashwara requested Suresh Kumar to share the information he has regarding drugs being delivered through quick commerce platforms.

Highlighting that the government has declared a war against drugs in Karnataka, he said, "....You have made a very big statement. I want you to share the information you have and we will take action." JD(S) MLA Suresh Babu accused the excise department of fixing liquor sales targets, to which Excise Minister R B Timmapur retorted by saying that there were no targets.

However, several MLAs, including BJP's Sunil Kumar, accused the department of fixing the target, and the target is to collect Rs 40,000 crore in excise revenue, to which the minister said that there was only an estimation and not a target. PTI KSU ADB