Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jul 1: "The shifting process of liquor shops near the highways is in progress as per the orders of the Supreme Court. Therefore, Ganesh Wines, Thekkatte is being shifted to an under construction building on Thekkatte–Dabbekatte road. There is severe opposition from the locals. It is a residential area and also a dangerous place with a pit filled with water. Therefore, in no circumstances should the liquor shop be shifted here," said Malyadi Rajiv Shetty.

Speaking at a press conference at Kundapur press club on Friday, June 30, he said that the zilla panchayat road passes through the proposed place for liquor shop and it is a residential area. "Stree Shakti, Dharmastala Rural Development Project, Mahila Mandali and other women's organisations have requested not to issue license for the liquor shop here. Those who drink can travel up to any distance for liquor. Therefore, let them open the shop in a place where the local public will not face problems. We are not against the business," he said.

"The Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) was requested to give the door number for the shop when the building construction was in progress. He was transferred as he asked the concerned to take the door number only after the construction of the building was completed. We strongly oppose the appointment of another PDO after transferring the earlier one using political influence," said Shetty.

"Violent protests will be held in front of the gram panchayat office if the license to the liquor shop is issued, he warned.

Gram panchayat member Vinod Devadiga said that at least the building should be constructed to issue a door number. "But here, the door number was asked before the construction of the building. The panchayat officer who said that it was not possible has been transferred using political influence," he said.

Gram panchayat members Netravathi and Saroja were present.