Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS) 

Bengaluru, Sep 5: Nagesh, minister for excise in the state government, has apologized to the women of the state for his statement of delivering liquor to the doorstep. 

Speaking at a press conference in the city, the minister said, "Government has given up the plan of delivering the liquor to the doorstep of the customers. The government did not take out any order in this regard. My statement was misunderstood. The statement that was given on Wednesday is withdrawn," 

"While speaking in a meeting on Wednesday an error took place. But I hereby clarify that there is no proposal of delivering the liquor to the doorstep right now. The statement given has irked the womenfolk of the state. I will apologize to them," said the minister. 

Giving further details, Nagesh said, "The concept of delivering the liquor to the doorstep does not arise. I had mentioned in the meeting on Wednesday that earlier the same concept was followed in Gujarat and other states. It is a mistake on my part. If such a policy is implemented, it will be difficult for women," 

Minister Nagesh had said in a press conference on Wednesday that "Our aim is to provide quality liquor. We had a target of collecting Rs 19,750 crore in the 2018-19. We have achieved Rs 19,943 crore. For 2019-20, the goal is to collect Rs 21,000 crores. People use liquor brought from other places in parties. Our officials will raid such parties. We will also curtail the use of ganja and related narcotic drugs." 

When questioned about banning liquor in the state, the minister had said, "There is no proposal of banning the liquor. I do not know about the protest that was held by women regarding this issue earlier. I think I was in Mumbai during that time. My phone was in switched-off mode that time."