From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Aug 10: People of Karnataka, including visitors to the State, have consumed in excess of 12 lac cases of Indian Made Liquor and Beer during the first four months (April to July) of the current financial year as compared to the same period last year.
The alcohol consumption, including beer, rose by roughly 6 per cent over the corresponding period during the previous year.
Karnataka sold 235.94 lac boxes of Indian made liquor and bear in the first four months (April to July end) of the current fiscal year, an increase of six per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.
The State had sold 223.50 lac boxes of IML and bear in the first four months of 2010-11, according to State’s Excise Minister M P Renukacharya.
A total of 160.22 lac boxes of IML and 75.72 lac boxes of beer were sold from April to July end this year, he said pointing out that the department has set a target of revenue collection at Rs. 9,200 crore for the current year against Rs. 8345.39 crore in 2010-11.
Addressing presspersons after performing pooja at his official chamber of the State Secretariat on Wednesday, the Minister said the State had sold 463.04 lac boxes of IML and 184.21 lac boxes of bear in 2010-11.
The Excise Department officials had conducted 15,475 raids and registered 2577 cases till the end of June, he said.
The Excise Department officials have seized 10,696 litres of IML, 24,092 litres of beer, and 2012 litres of spurious liquor. Officials have registered 259 cases against traders for selling liquor in retail, 169 cases for selling liquor above maximum retail price (MRP), and 142 cases for violation of timings.
They collected penalty of Rs. 2.63 crore in various cases as till June end, the minister said.
Stating that there were 735 illicit liquor manufacturing centres in different parts of the State, the Minister said 462 centres were small, 217 medium and 55 large units.
The officials have been instructed to destroy illegal units in next two months, he said asserting that the Department would launch a full-scale war to curb illegal and spurious liquor trade. ''It harms the people and also causes huge loss of revenue,” he said.