JDS-BJP govt committed to total prohibition : Yediyurappa

Bangalore, July 11 (UNI) The ban on the sale and manufacture of arrack was the first in the direction towards bringing total prohibition on all types of liquor in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, told the Legislative Council here today.

Replying to a question by Mr Marithibbegowda (Ind), Mr Yediyurappa said even though the state government had estimated a revenue loss of over Rs 1,900 crore due to the ban, the government would make up the loss through efficient tax collection. During the last three months it had collected Rs 300 crore from other taxes, compared to the corresponding period last year.

He stressed that the government had booked as many as 405 cases after the ban came into existence on June 30 and the excise department had seized and destroyed over three lakh litres of rectified spirit meant for manufacture of arrack. While 111 people were arrested, 23 vehicles were also seized by the police.

UNI