Bangalore, Jun 9 (DHNS): Illicit liquor business in the State is so rampant that if it is completely stopped the State exchequer will be richer by Rs 1,000 crore a year. 

Disclosing this to reporters on Tuesday, Excise Minister M P Renukacharya said steps are being initiated to check manufacture and sale of illicit liquor, besides stopping its flow into the State.

The flow of such liquor into the State from its neighbours is most from Goa. The Excise Commissioner has been directed to hold a meeting with his counterparts from the five States - Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to discuss liquor smuggling, he said.

“Once illicit liquor business is stopped, the revenue is expected to increase by Rs 1,000 crore. We are confident of ending this menace soon and hence expecting that the total revenue collection for 2010-11 would reach Rs 8,500 crore, Rs 1,000 crore more than the budgetary target,” the Minister said.

Stern action is being taken against the illicit liquor trade, Renukacharya said. As many as 15 people have been arrested in connection with the recent hooch tragedy in Shidlaghatta taluk in Chikkaballapur district. Steps are being taken to prosecute three families who were repeatedly violating the Excise Act in Pavagad. The department has identified Kolar, Belgaum, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Dharwad where incidents of illicit liquor manufacture and sale are endemic, he added.

The tough stand taken by the department, Renukacharya said, is already paying dividends. The department collected Rs 567 crore as excise revenue in April 2010-11 against Rs 454 crore in the corresponding period last year. Revenue for May too has shot up by over Rs 100 crore compared to May last year.

Seizure of property

The Excise minister said his department will seize the property of those who did not clear their long-pending arrears of arrack sale licence fee, within the next three months. The Government has introduced the third Karasamadhana scheme for the purpose. Nearly Rs 250 crore was owed to the department since 1946, with the accumulated interest amounting to Rs 460 crore.

Night hours

Renukacharya said he will convene a meeting of  secretaries of Home and Tourism departments next week to discuss the demand for extending business hour for bars and pubs in Bangalore.

“I do not want to comment on it now. Let me first discuss about it with the officials. There are many issues involved including the law and order. An appropriate decision will be taken after the meeting,” he said.