Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 18: It has come to light that the number of people consuming beer in the state has been dwindling. Taking this matter seriously, the excise department has ordered for a thorough investigation.

In the past, sale of beer showed an increasing trend year after year. However, this time, the quantum of beer sale has declined. The department, which was hoping to increase the beer sale just like in previous years, is dismayed and disturbed by the unexpected down slide.

The excise commissioner of Karnataka has ordered all the excise joint commissioners and deputy commissioners to conduct a study about this reversing trend and submit reports.

The department has found that the quantum of beer consumption and percentage-wise sales have been on the wane. The department has viewed this in all seriousness and asked the officials to find out the reasons which contributed to the descending sale of beer, conduct detailed analysis, and submit report with recommendations about steps to be taken to reach the sales target.

Bar Owners’ Association representative Karunakar Hegde, wondered how they can achieve higher sales, if the department fails to supply the quantity demanded.

Some bar owners said that the excise department normally supplies only liquor as it earns better profit there. As beer does not bring good revenue to the government, the department has not been supplying beer in enough quantities. They said that even though they were demanding for beer supply, the department never supplied enough beer stock to them.