Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Nov 18: While people are complaining about present problems they are facing in procuring groceries, fuel and other necessary items due to shortage of currency because of demonetisation, drinkers in state have no complaints at all.

While other businesses have suffered as people cannot withdraw money, wine merchants have no time to complain as they are busy with their business of giving away ‘spirit’ to their customers.

Data says it all. Karnataka state records an average liquor business of Rs 51 crore per day by selling 1.6 lac crates of liquor. The liquor business was hit for a day on November 9 as drinkers were probably busy looking for notes on that day. After that, no day has been bad for business. In fact teh business did not come down from average Rs 51 crore at all, even for a day. Instead it has been going up slightly to touch Rs 52 crore some days. Indeed drinkers have maintained their ‘status.’

The state government has a target of Rs 16,200 crore per annum as excise revenue. But the officials in Excise Department are so optimistic that they say excise revenue is likely to exceed Rs 18,000 crore this year.

As per available figures, the liquor business on November 9 went down as much as 60 % which killed the ‘spirit’ in excise officials. But now they have recovered as drinkers have supported them overwhelmingly.