From our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 27: State excise minister M P Renukacharya, who created headlines by announcing the proposal for allowing bars in star hotels to remain open till 2 am and later beating a hasty retreat, has declared that the government will not be issuing new licenses for opening liquor shops, bars and restaurants in the state this year.
It is not because there were no takers, he said, and clarified that the excise department has received a large number of applications for opening liquor shops, bars and restaurants several parts of the state.
But, according to Reunkacharya, the excise department has decided not to issue any new licenses this year as the state had more than the required number of liquor shops, bars and restaurants. The minister said manufacturing of illicit liquor has been reported from several districts of the state.
The excise department and police officials have been instructed to conduct raid on such units the destroy machinery used to produce illicit liquor, Renukacharya said.
Asked about the sale of liquor above the maximum retail price (MRP) by some shop owners in cities, he said licenses of such shops would be cancelled if the police detect such cases.
"It is for the people to come forward and lodge complaints. We will not hesitate to take action,” he declared.
Giving details of revenue earned by various districts in the state, he said Bangalore Urban topped in the list with revenue of Rs 3619.79 crore in 2009-10 followed by Bangalore Rural – Rs 961.18 crore, Bellary – Rs 633.90 crore, and Ramangara – Rs 557.56 crore.
The excise department has fetched revenue of Rs 7001.09 crore in the last financial year, he said.
He, however, refused to answer any questions on the Bellary Reddy brothers and the illegal mining issue. He clarified that he had not been directed by anybody to speak against any ministers or leaders in the BJP.
A few days ago, Renukacharya, who was one of the prominent BJP MLAs in the dissidence war launched by Bellary mining lords – Gali Janardhana Reddy, Gali Karunakara Reddy and their close confidant B Sriramulu – against the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa last year, had made it clear that he was not supporter of any group in the BJP and opposed illegal mining in the state.
He also said that he would not support a rally from Bellary to Mysore planned by health minister B Sriramulu to counter the ongoing “Bellary Chalo” programme of the Congress.