The Excise Department has decided to take stringent action against liquor shops after noticing that almost all liquor retail shops in the district are selling their products at prices higher than the maximum retail price (MRP). The department can even cancel the CL-2 licences of these shops if they are found to be selling liquor above the retail price.The department has issued a four-day deadline to all liquor shop owners to stop illegal practices like selling loose liquor, encouraging the consumption of liquor in front of these outlets and sale of liquor at more than the MRP.
Deputy Commissioner N Jayaram gave directions to the Excise Department following numerous complaints that people were consuming liquor on roadsides and creating a nuisance. Many citizens said they were worried about walking on roads, especially in the evenings.
Liquor outlets in Belgaum have been illegally serving liquor on their premises even though they are only authorised to sell their products. Allowing consumption or selling loose liquor on their premises is strictly prohibited.
On condition of anonymity, a few owners and workers at these outlets told Express that they collect about `15 to `20 more per 180 ml and about `50 to `100 for 750 ml of branded liquors. There have been no objections from consumers when we charge extra, they claimed. They also said not a single customer had ever asked for a receipt and claimed that even an excise official knew about them charging more than the MRP. There are 271 licenced liquor shops in Belgaum; the highest number of them located in Belgaum South (38) followed by Chikkodi with 37, Belgaum North with 35 and Gokak with 33 liquor shops. Khanapur taluk has just 14 shops, the lowest in the district. Though most liquor shops have been blatantly violating their licence norms, the Excise Department have been turning a blind eye to this.
They finally decided to crack down on those violating licence norms only after Deputy Commissioner Jayaram instructed them to do so.
Speaking to Express, K B Merunandan, Deputy Commissioner of the Excise Department said: “We had a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Jayaram about liquor shops violating licence norms and also on allegations that they sell products at prices higher than the MRP. Based on this, we have instructed all our inspectors to warn these shop owners in their respective areas. We have also brought this to the notice of the Wine Shop Association members and have told them to follow the norms. Stringent action will be taken against those violating rules. Their licence may also be cancelled. There will be no compromise on this issue.”