No plans to impose prohibition: Meti

Karnataka will not emulate states like Kerala and Bihar on imposing prohibition. “Complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor is not feasible. There is no proposal before the government to impose prohibition,” Excise Minister H Y Meti said in reply to queries from reporters whether the government was planning to impose prohibition on the lines of Kerala.

The government has also no plan to issue licence for opening new liquor shops. But permission will be given to Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL) to open outlets to sell liquor. The MSIL had sought permission to open 144 outlets across the state, and the government has approved 100 outlets, he added.

The government hasn’t issued new licences to open liquor shops since 1992. The subsequent governments shied away from issuing new licences fearing public backlash.
Meti, however, said the government will not promote sale and consumption of liquor in public interest. “I personally feel people should not consume liquor, nor do I like to promote the sale of liquor. Poor people in rural areas ruin their lives because of drinking. We don’t need to fill the coffers by ruining poor families,” he said.

People in urban areas are aware of the bad effects of drinking. They know how much is too much, he said. But people in rural areas easily get addicted to alcohol, he said. Meti said there was no proposal to extend nightlife in other cities. The government recently permitted pubs and bars in Bengaluru to remain open till 1 am.