Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 21: Excise minister, R B Timmapur, stressed that liquor outlets in the state are barred from opening their doors for business in the early morning hours. He warned the bars as well as officials of the department that in case of violation of rules regarding business hours, the liquor vendors as well as officials of the department will face action.

The minister was reacting to the point raised by some media persons about liquor shops in the city opening their doors for customers during early morning hours. "The rules say that liquor shops should not open before 8 am. This rule should be followed strictly," he told the excise commissioner and joint commissioner accompanying him.

The minister said that wine shops can be opened only after 8 in the morning and that there are time restrictions on bar and restaurants too. He told the officials accompanying him to pass on strict instructions to all officials of the department to enforce time norms strictly without exception, and that they would be personally accountable if such violations are noticed.

He said bars should not be opened during morning coffee time.

About quantum of liquor sale, the minister said that as compared to last year, sale of liquor has experienced a decline of 1.12 percent, one of the reasons for it being the Supreme Court directive on bars located near the highways. He added that in the recent past, sale of liquor has picked up.

"There was a general feeling that excise department is meant to fill the coffers of the government and boost its revenue. But for me, rather than concentrating on revenue collection, strengthening of the department is of greater relevance. I am taking steps in this direction, and there are plans to empower officials with more power and responsibilities in addition to new arms," he clarified.

The minister said that towards implementation of Supreme Court order, over 3,000 liquor shops in the state had been closed down. "As concession has been extended to liquor shops within cities, most of these shops have reopened for business. Still, about 789 liquor shops including about 200 in the city need to be shifted away from their current locations near the highways, and we will not allow them to reopen till they shift their business, duly following the Supreme Court verdict," he stated.