BJP leaders harming morale of police: Timmapur

Excise Minister R B Timmapur charged that BJP leaders do not know to do politics on the basis of development works, and they are playing cheap politics through communal violence and moral policing.

"BJP leaders are demanding CBI probe into small cases, and are thus damaging the morale of the Police Department. When BJP was in power, the Police Department was the same, and now, BJP leaders have no faith in the police," he said.

They looted money in the name of Ghataprabha right bank canal work, and I am ready to disclose details in this regard," he noted.

Reservation

During his visit to the Excise Department office at Navanagar here on Tuesday, Mr Timmapur told media persons that noted that a bill to introduce reservation for SC/ST community members in giving permission to open liquor shops would be tabled in the next session of the State legislature.

The department is expecting Rs 18,500 crore revenue collection this year, and the achievement is Rs 11,271 crore far, while the revenue collected last year was Rs 16,510 crore, he said.

He also noted that there is plan to present medals to honour efficient staff of the Excise Department, on the model of Police Department.

'Check illicit liquor sale'

Earlier, Mr Timmapur held a meeting with the Excise Department officials and gave instructions to take stringent action against those who sell illicit liquor.

He gave also instructions to create awareness about the ill-effects of drugs and other intoxicants, among college students.

He also assured to take steps to redress the grievances of the department staff. The staff presented their demands related to promotions, pay disparity and other issues.

Excise Department Deputy Commissioner Arun Kumar explained the steps taken against hooch sale and unauthorised sale of liquor. A case has been booked against a railway TC on charges of helping transport of liquor from Goa to Karnataka, he said, adding that Goonda Act would be booked against those who repeat the crime for the third time.