No wine stores, bars near schools, temples: CM

“No wine stores or bars will be allowed to operate in the vicinity of schools, colleges and temples. We will make amendments to the existing rules if required,” he said, intervening during a discussion on the issue raised by M R Doreswamy (BJP).

The chief minister said if the state government received any complaints regarding bars becoming a nuisance near educational institutions, it would take measures to relocate them.

Earlier, in his reply, Excise Minister M P Renukacharya said it was practically impossible to implement Doreswamy’s proposal that no wine stores or bars should be located within a kilometre radius of educational institutions.

Renukacharya’s comment that such a move could lead to “financial and social problems” was criticised by his own partymen. While Ganesh Karnic felt that social problems were on the rise due to alcoholism, Dr S R Leela felt that younger generation was taking to habitual drinking.

D S Veeraiah suggested opening of “special complexes” for serving liquor only during fixed hours.