News: Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network–Udupi(EP)

Udupi, May 21: State Federation of Wine Merchants Association Mangaluru division secretary Govindaraj Hegde alleged that the government harassment and pressure on them has not stopped. 

Speaking in a press conference, he said, “The government earns Rs 15,255 crores from the liquor outlets. After tax free liquor was stopped in 2003 an amount of Rs one lac one thousand 900 crores has come from the sale of liquor. It is equivalent to one budget.”

“The Chief Minister has only promised to withdraw vat but has not done so. Moreover, the government on the pretext of stopping illicit liquor insists that the wholesalers buy a specified amount of liquor.”

“The government should stop pressurize and pester for buying liquor and withdraw the ordinance as per the amendments made under Panchayat Raj system to close liquor shops to enforce election code of conduct,” he said. 

Association Udupi district treasurer Ramachandra Kidiyooru, Association Mangaluru division Shivamogga district president C A M Gowda, Uttara Kannada district president Nagaraja Hithalamane, Coorg district secretary Babu Naidu and others were present.