Months after liquor shops were opened in several parts of India it is reported that Karnataka recorded a whopping 45 crore sale on liquor. According to the excise department, Rs 45 crore revenue was earned from the sale of 3.9 lakh litres of beer and 8.5 lakh litres of IML sales from 9 am to 7 pm. Excise Minister H Nagesh said that the expected numbers were somewhere around 25 crores but 45 crores is very high. “People need not rush to make purchases as there is sufficient stock. There are 26.5 lakh boxes of IML and 16.5 lakh boxes of beer, a ten-day stock. From Tuesday liquor prices will rise according to state budget and an additional 6% excise duty will be levied - which will come into the effect from this fiscal,” he said.
According to the excise department till 12 pm, around 16,000 litres of liquor was sold and as the day progressed it reached 10 lakh litres. The final sale of the day is estimated to be around 12.4 lakh litres. Some shopkeepers tried to make most of the opportunity by charging about 25% of the printed rate. The excise officials warned stern action those engaging in such activities.“Normally on any given day, around one lakh litres is sold. People need not rush to make purchases, the stores will remain open and liquor will be available. There is sufficient in the warehouse and the distilleries are also working now. Directions have been issued to all liquor stores and police officials to ensure there are no untoward incidents,” excise commissioner Yashavanatha V, said.