Karnataka To Not Open More Liquor Shops, Says CM Siddaramaiah

In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has now made it clear that there will be no new liquor shops in the state. The Chief Minister made this proclamation during an address in Mysuru and emphasised that this decision aligns with the opinion of senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar.

"No, we are not opening...who said we are opening? Minister has said we will think about it, but we will not open," he said while addressing the media. He confirmed that the excise department has no intention to issue fresh licences for liquor store establishments.

This declaration comes amid growing concerns and debates regarding the granting of new bar licenses in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the matter of issuing new bar licenses is not currently on the government's agenda. He also emphasized that DK Shivakumar has not expressed any intentions to grant new licenses for the time being.

The Chief Minister made it clear that there is no requirement for further discussions on the matter, as the government's stance is resolute: no new liquor licenses will be issued in Karnataka. This announcement underscores the state's commitment to its existing regulations and policies regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Earlier, the Karnataka Excise Department presented a proposal to the state government suggesting the establishment of liquor stores in gram panchayats with a population exceeding 3,000. However, this idea was met with strong opposition from the BJP and JD(S), who labeled it as "anti-people," and called upon the government to reject it. In response to the proposal, protests erupted in various locations in Karnataka, primarily led by women.

Addressing the matter, the Chief Minister stated on Friday, "It was merely a proposal under consideration, and we have decided not to proceed with the opening of new liquor stores."

Previously, the Karnataka excise department had put forth a series of reforms aimed at increasing revenue, including an expansion in the number of liquor outlets in the state.

The proposed reforms encompassed the introduction of 389 additional Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) outlets, the issuance of new licenses for liquor trade in villages with populations exceeding 3,000, the sale of liquor in supermarkets in Bengaluru and other urban centers within the state, and modifications to CL-2 (retail), CL-7 (hotel), and CL-9 (bar and restaurant) licenses, among other initiatives.