Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 28: State excise minister R B Thimmapur on Thursday, September 28 informed that many wine stores and bars in Mangaluru division had renewed their licenses and notices have already been issued to alcohol outlets who have failed to renew their licenses.
Addressing media in the city, he said, “As many as 1260 bars have renewed their licenses in Mangaluru division. Another 161 bars are yet to renew their licenses. We have given them specific time to complete their license renewal process. The excise department has earned 95 per cent success in revenue collection. Our yearly target is Rs 18,005 crore and within six months, we have successfully collected Rs 8305 crore. We are hoping to achieve the target in the upcoming months.”
“Meanwhile, we have received complaints from some villages that new bars which were shifted from highways are functioning again. I have ordered to my department to investigate and take action against the bars which are violating rules and regulations,” he stated.
“There are complaints from people that some bars and wine stores are selling liquor for a higher price than mentioned in the MRP sticker. There is a technical issue that the MRP labels are showing prices as Rs 60.67, RS 90.33 etc, which is practically very difficult to merchandise. So retails sellers are rounding off the figures. Our department is working to solve this technical issue,” he added.
Enforcement team to curb drug menace
“Drugs like ganja are freely being sold. Drug peddlers are targeting school and colleges. To prevent this, we are planning to form an enforcement team with the help of school and college management. I have told my department to be strict while dealing ganja and drug issues,” he added.
“Besides this, we have received information that ganja plantation is being carried out in forests of Shivamogga and other forest parts of the state. We are planning to use drones to locate these areas. The department is working hard to stop these types of illegal activities,” said Thimmapur.
“As many as six cases have been registered regarding drug peddling in Mangaluru division in 2016-17. A total of 25.28 kg ganja was seized. Mangaluru division is facing shortage of staff. Its actual staff strength is 233, but only 120 are working presently. We are planning to fill the rest of the vacancies soon,” he added.