Mangalore: Rigorous Actions to Control Illicit Liquor, says Minister Renukacharya
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, Oct 26: The cases of illicit liquor being smuggled into the State has increased considerably. A handful of innocent are risking their lives, hence the battle against illicit liquor centers are to be put into force with full swing, said Excise Minister Renukacharya at a press meet held in the excise office, Maryhill, Mangalore on Tuesday October 26.
He said that the officials have been directed to take strict actions against all violators.
Speaking on the target accomplished by the Mangalore Division, he detailed presspersons that during the period between April 2010 to September 2010, 30,26,852 boxes of liquor have been sold out which was 26, 3,384 boxes last year, hence making remarkable growth in the sale.
Totally 4, 13,468 boxes of additional target of sales has been achieved in the division, he said. As many as 5787 raids operations have been carried out between April 2010 to September 2010, thereby registering 588 cases, and arresting 175 as a move against illicit liquor centers.
In all 1 Tipper, 2 Bolaro, 1 Tata Sumo, 4 Mini Lorry, 1 car, 1 Auto Rickshaw, 1 Scorpio, 11 two-wheelers, thus 19 vehicles have been seized in the division in the above stated time period, he added. He also urged the concerned people to deal with such vehicles as soon as possible seeing those are rusting in the rain and fading in the sun. Spare parts of some of the vehicles are missing which is a loss to the government, he added. He also said that he may conduct a meeting with transport minister on this vehicle depreciation issue and urge to hasten as to what can be done to avoid loss to the government.
He directed for immediate payment of amounts that are due and yet to be paid to the government, otherwise resulting in a strict action even which may lead to seizing of their licenses.
He said that the department has ascertained few people have been running liquor business under ‘benami’ names and added that surety for such people will be found out and actions will be against them.
In order to eradicate the problem of illicit liquor scam, he said that he had directed to conduct special meetings with excise department in 916 gram panchyats in the district with the help of self-help groups and women associations to make the people aware of hazards of illicit liquor consumption. Elected representatives have been provided with circular letter making them aware of perils illicit liquor scandals.
Eradication
In Mangalore division, 256 small, 145 medium, 59 large, total of 460 illicit liquor centers prevailed, and with the help of a district level active squad, 277 such illicit liquor centers have been eradicated. Continues raid operations have been triggered on remaining 105 small, 60 medium, and 14 large illicit liquor centers and all possible strict actions are on full swing, he added.
In all 4000000 litre Goa liquor, 397000 litre beer, 429000 fenny, 314000 litres illicit liquor, 1250000 spirit, 20 k.g jaggery and 153 kgs of ganja have been seized during April 2010 to September 2010.
Bheemappa, joint commissioner of excise department, announced that Mugali in Honnavar and Elakundi of Sagar have been unchained from illicit liquor scandals completely.
Income
In all Rs 4, 99,59,220/- tax on beer, Rs. 46,34,13,960/- additional tax on beer, Rs. 24,48,46,388/- on liquor, Rs 46,53,32,740/- additional tax on liquor, Rs 43,30,44,500/- fine, Rs 6,45,31,910 additional fine, other income Rs 1,26,41,870 and total Rs 1,73,37,70,589 tax have been received by the government, Minister told.
In comparison to last year, Rs 31,73,18,798 additional collections have been made, he said.