Appeal to relax excise rules on serving liquor

The members of Kodava Samaja and Kodava Gowda Samaja Associations submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, appealing to relax the excise regulations considering Kodagu as a special case.

In the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections, excise fee is imposed on serving liquor during traditional programmes of Kodavas, including marriage and other functions.

Liquor is served in the family functions and social gathering of Kodavas, as a part of their practices.

However, there is no room for the disturbance of law and order on such occasions. But, the imposition of the model code of conduct has posed an obstruction to the traditional Kodava rituals, said the union members.

The excise fee on liquor is a huge burden on economically less privileged families, they pointed out in a memorandum. The office bearers meanwhile submitted a memorandum to the excise department officials.

Kodava Samaja president K S Devaiah, vice president Chinnappa and Kodagu Gowda Union president Soortale Somanna were present among others.