Beware, No Benefits if Caught Brewing Hooch: Renukacharya
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, April 27: Benefits granted under different welfare schemes of the state government would be withdrawn if any member of the urban or rural families were found to be involved in manufacture of illicit liquor anywere in Karnataka, Excise Minister M P Renukacharya has warned.

"Illicit liquor manufacture, sale and consumption is becoming a big headache and problem for the excise and police authorities apart from the loss of revenue and health hazards involved,”  he said and declared that the government was firm in its resolve to curb the menace by taking stern measures.

Renukacharya, who has been conducting surprise raids in different parts of the state, mentioned that he was fully aware of the fact that a large number of persons were indulging in manufacture and sale of spurious liquor as there were no liquor shops in every five km in rural parts of the State.

The government would withdraw all benefits grated to families if any one of their family
members was involved in the production and sale of spurious liquor, he warned.

The minister said the government had already banned the manufacture and sale of arrack
in 2007 following complaints from women self-help groups and Dalit organisations.

He also said some liquor and wine shop owners were found selling liquor in some places, where there was no shop, above MRP prices. There were cases of even petty shop owners indulging this illegal and clandestine trade, he said.

To eliminate such illegal sale of liquor and wine, the department has decided to step up its vigilance. A total of 435 sub-inspectors and guards would be recruited soon to step up raids on manufacturers of illicit liquor, he said.

The government-owned Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) will open 432 shops in towns and in rural areas of the State to sell liquor.

As many as 49 shops had been already set up, he said pointing out that the Excise Commissioner had been authorised to decide the locations for opening the liquor shops. MSIL would sell liquor at MRP rates, he said.

An awareness campaign would be launched at the gram panchayat level to inform the people about the ill-effects of spurious liquor. Elected representatives of gram panchayat and local youth organisations would be involved in the campaign, Renukacharya added.