Mangalore First in Sale of Liquor; All Illegal Centres to Close Down: Renukacharya
 
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Sep 1: Excise minister Renukacharya on Saturday September 1 said that ever since he took charge of his ministry three years ago, the number of illicit liquor centres in the state had come down drastically from 2,000 to just 93.

Addressing a press meet in the city after holding a review meeting of Mangalore divisional level excise officers, he said that he aims to eliminate all the remaining illegal liquor centres and bring down the number to zero within the next two months.

"Mangalore division which includes Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shimoga, Udupi, Uttara Kannada districts has achieved 98.36percent of the target given this year," he said.

"For the year 2012-13, a growth of 4.81 percent has been recorded in the state statistics. Mangalore division has achieved a growth of 7.79 percent, which puts Mangalore in first position with regard to sale of liquor," he added, and informed that while the target was set at Rs 90,200 crore, Rs 90,827.89 crore was collected, hence earning an additional profit of Rs 627.89 crore.
 
"As many as 46 cases of retail liquor sale, 38 cases of selling liquor at a rate above the MRP, 134 cases of selling liquor in places other than those prescribed, and 134 cases of violation of rules have been registered. Moreover, 70 major cases have been registered and 214 accused have been arrested. Also, 9,337 litres of Goa liquor and 8 vehicles have been seized," he said.
 
"Excise officials have been patrolling Mangalore division on a daily basis to curb illegal activities with regard to sale of liquor. Rs 35.59 crore has been collected as tax in Mangalore division this year. Out of 811 sanctioned posts, 424 are filled and 387 are vacant in Mangalore division excise office," he added.
 
"In the year 2012-13, 20,854 raids were carried out across the state, 3587 cases were registered, 2,236 accused arrested, and 113 various types of vehicles seized. Also, 77,901.02 litres of liquor, 32,095.4 litres of beer, fenny, 22,024 litres of spirit, and 135.05 litres of arrack were seized. As much as 3,394.8 litres of illicit liquor and 54,699.27 litres of jaggery wash were seized and disposed," he said.
 
To a query, Renukacharya said that he did not engage in any lobbying for any post during the redistribution of portfolios and added that he is ready to accept the muzrai ministry, if given to him. He, however, said that those who have served as MLAs more than 2 or 3 times should be given priority.