JOIN USExcise Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Saturday said the government has no plans to give licences to open new liquor shops in the State.
The minister, who visited the Congress head office and interacted with the party workers, told reporters that from 1992, no fresh licence has been issued for opening liquor shops. The government would continue the same policy.
There is no proposal before the excise department to increase the duration of selling alcohol by liquor shops.
The Horticulture department has requested the excise department not to allow naming liquor shops as wine shops. No final decision has been taken in this regard, Jarkiholi added.
3,000 involved
Referring to illicit liquor trade, the minister said the department officials have gathered information that not less than 3,000 people are involved in illicit liquor business.
Efforts would be made to make them agree to accept rehabilitation programme to be chalked out by the government so that they can give up their present vocation, he said. Illicit liquor trade is rampant in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Dharwad and Gadag districts, he pointed out.
No stake in sugar mill
Replying to a question regarding sugarcane price issue, Jarkiholi, in-charge of Belgaum district, said neither he nor his family has stakes in Satish Sugars Mill.
Though the factory is named as Satish, he was not on the management board. It is learnt that Jarkiholi’s wife too has resigned from the board. And, now it is run by the managing director. About the tussle between the mill owners and the government over the sugar cane price issue, the minister said the matter has now gone to court.