K'taka Govt yet to decide on arrack ban

Bangalore, Feb 14 (UNI) The Karnataka Government is yet to take a final decision on banning the manufacture and sale of arrack in the State, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to a question raised by BJP's Shobha Karandlaje and Vimala Gowda, he said the Government had estimated to collect Rs 1,906.28 crore as revenue during 2006-07 from the sale of arrack and had mobilised Rs 1,267.96 crore till December 2006. The State Government was studying the impact of revenue loss and the experiences of neighbouring States which had introduced the ban. A final decision would be taken only after considering the pros and cons of the ban and after perusing the report of the study conducted by the State Government on facing the challenges of illicit brewing, sale and consumption of liquor, he added.

Mr Yediyurappa said that during the last two years, as many as 50 people died and 64 hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor and methanol-mixed arrack. In the period, over 214 anti-arrack campaigns have been registered by various organisations and Sthree Shakthi groups, demanding immediate ban on the sale and manufacture of arrack.

UNI