<p>Excise Minister M P Renukacharya told reporters here on Saturday that the state government has earmarked ` 100 crore to provide weapons to the excise personnel to fight illicit liquor mafia and act tough on hooch brewers.<br /><br />So far, the excise department has succeeded in shutting down about 1,400 hooch and illicit liquor units across the state. <br /><br />An equal number of units were still active in many parts of the State. <br /><br />The department personnel are directed to get closed all those units within three months. He would extend all support to the staff to end the menace, he said. <br /><br />Renukacharya said he noticed loss to the exchequer owing to the illegal entry of liquor from Andhra Pradesh and Goa. <br /><br />The Government was bent on plugging the leakage of revenue due to illegal entry of liquor from outside states. <br /><br />He would soon hold discussions with the neighbouring governments and the concerned ministers to help stop the smuggling of liquor into Karnataka state. <br /><br />The smuggling was rampant in border districts, he stated and claimed that the Mysore district was completely free from hooch and illicit liquor centres. <br /><br />He said the excise personnel conducted 62,579 raids on illegal brewing centres in last one year and booked about 10,856 cases. <br /><br />About 4,570 people had been arrested and seized 744 vehicles. <br /><br />The personnel seized 77,163 litres of liquor and spirit worth about ` 29 lakh, the Minister added. <br /><br />Revenue up<br /><br />Excise Minister M P Renukacharya said the excise revenue for the year 2010 - 11 was up by 30 per cent. Against a set target of ` 7,500 crore, the excise department mobilised ` 8,314 crore for the year 2010-11. The department aims to reach a target of ` 10,000 crore excise revenue next year, the minister added.</p>
<p>Excise Minister M P Renukacharya told reporters here on Saturday that the state government has earmarked ` 100 crore to provide weapons to the excise personnel to fight illicit liquor mafia and act tough on hooch brewers.<br /><br />So far, the excise department has succeeded in shutting down about 1,400 hooch and illicit liquor units across the state. <br /><br />An equal number of units were still active in many parts of the State. <br /><br />The department personnel are directed to get closed all those units within three months. He would extend all support to the staff to end the menace, he said. <br /><br />Renukacharya said he noticed loss to the exchequer owing to the illegal entry of liquor from Andhra Pradesh and Goa. <br /><br />The Government was bent on plugging the leakage of revenue due to illegal entry of liquor from outside states. <br /><br />He would soon hold discussions with the neighbouring governments and the concerned ministers to help stop the smuggling of liquor into Karnataka state. <br /><br />The smuggling was rampant in border districts, he stated and claimed that the Mysore district was completely free from hooch and illicit liquor centres. <br /><br />He said the excise personnel conducted 62,579 raids on illegal brewing centres in last one year and booked about 10,856 cases. <br /><br />About 4,570 people had been arrested and seized 744 vehicles. <br /><br />The personnel seized 77,163 litres of liquor and spirit worth about ` 29 lakh, the Minister added. <br /><br />Revenue up<br /><br />Excise Minister M P Renukacharya said the excise revenue for the year 2010 - 11 was up by 30 per cent. Against a set target of ` 7,500 crore, the excise department mobilised ` 8,314 crore for the year 2010-11. The department aims to reach a target of ` 10,000 crore excise revenue next year, the minister added.</p>
