Karnataka wine merchants
call state-wide
bandh on November 20;
demand that
allliquor stores remain
closed that
day
Karnataka wine merchants call state-wide bandh on November 20; demand that all
liquor stores remain closed that day
Updated - November 15, 2024 at 05:50 PM.
The association has called the bandh to protest• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции » Акции протеста corruption• Борьба с коррупцией in the excise
department
By BL Bengaluru Bureau
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The Federation of Wine Merchants’ Association in Karnataka has called for a
state-wide protest• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции » Акции протеста on November 20, demanding all liquor stores remain closed
on the day.
The association has alleged that during a protest• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции » Акции протеста meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции on the issues and
demands of the excise industry in Bengaluru on October 25, excise officers
admitted to accepting bribes from superiors for transfers and promotions.
“They also extort significant sums from licence holders under the pretext of
bribes, as confirmed in the meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции attended by over 3,000 licence holders. We
assert that the excise department, being a non-funded department, should be
overseen by the Finance Minister, who must work to curb corruption• Борьба с коррупцией within the
department,” it said in a statement, adding the association also demands a
meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции with the Chief Minister to discuss these issues.
However, it said, none of the association’s office-bearers has spoken of
bribes amounting to ₹500-700-900 crore. “We have never funded an election, nor
do we intend to. The mention of such matters in elections in Maharashtra and
by-elections is disheartening, as our organisation is politically neutral,” it
said.
The association’s President S. Guruswamy maintained that for 15-16 years,
several excise ministers in previous governments had collected money from
officials for transfers and promotions. The issue had reached a point where it
has become intolerable for licence holders, leading to its public exposure, it
said.
“In 2018, when we raised concerns about bribes in a meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции with the previous
excise minister, there was no resolution. Protests were quelled after a
superficial meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции. The reduction of our profit margin from 20 per cent to 10
per cent during the tenure of then-Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu remains
unexplained. Our industry is struggling with various issues, and we have
appealed to the government. If we were involved in election funding, would we
still be protesting? The proposed bandh is directly related to our demands,”
said representatives of the Wine Merchants’ Association.
The association has requested a meeting• Политическая жизнь » Митинги, акции with the Chief Minister to address
their demands and issues and has urged the government to take action against
corruption• Борьба с коррупцией within the excise department. The protests will address the same.
Other demands of the licence holders include a minimum profit margin of 20 per
cent on retail alcohol sales, and allowing drinking within CL-2 establishments
(retail shops for vending Indian-made or foreign liquors).
The association has also requested extra counters in CL-9 (bar) establishments
with a fee, and to amend the law to allow alcohol and beer to be taken away
(parcel service). Other amendment requests include taking a fair decision
regarding MSIL licences, and enforcing strict laws against fake alcohol under
the guise of duty-free sales from military canteens and other states like Goa.
Other demands include ensuring excise officers are suspended for corruption• Борьба с коррупцией
under the 1988 Anti-Corruption• Борьба с коррупцией Act and are not reinstated to executive
positions in any district.
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Published on November 15, 2024