Sale of illicit liquor up in K'taka after arrack ban

Bangalore, Nov 16 (UNI) After the JD(S)-BJP coalition government in Karnataka banned the sale of arrack in July this year, the flow of illicit liquor was on the rise, Excise Commissioner Erappa said.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, he said the State Excise department conducted raids in several places and busted illegal liquor bottling units in the state.

He said thousands of litres of rectified spirit worth more than Rs 1.28 crore besides wine, beer and other hard liquor were seized since the ban on arrack sale came into force.

Admitting that manufacture of illicit liquor was on the rise, he said the department had initiated stringent steps to unearth such units.

As many as 39 bootleggers were arrested and nearly 15 vehicles used for the transporting the brew were seized, he added.

UNI