Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday suggested allowing bars on beaches and increasing home liquor storage limits to tackle the thriving illegal alcohol trade across the state. He presented this as “my opinion” in the Assembly during its winter session in Belagavi.
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“Although selling liquor on beaches is currently prohibited, many people consume it there. To avoid illegal sales at beaches and other places, it is better to give permission. This is my opinion,” he stated.
The deputy chief minister also advocated relaxing restrictions on liquor storage at homes, noting that visitors often gift bottles, creating unnecessary legal complications for residents.
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“I personally favour allowing increased storage of liquor at homes for personal consumption to avoid unnecessary issues,” Shivakumar said.
As Rajajinagar MLA S Suresh Kumar suggested allowing online platforms to deliver alcohol, Shivakumar said, “What is the guarantee that these online platforms are unofficially delivering alcohol? It is going on, and I have heard about this in several places.”
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However, the debate took a contentious turn when Suresh Kumar alleged that some online delivery firms were involved in illegal drugs distribution. Home Minister G Parameshwara strongly objected to the BJP MLA’s statement and demanded specific evidence to enable police action.
Speaker U T Khader attempted to curtail the discussion as tensions rose.
Contrast with discussion in Legislative Council
The discussion was in contrast to Monday’s discussion in the Legislative Council where BJP members warned that the government fixing revenue targets for the excise department would amount to encouraging alcohol consumption.
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BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar demanded that the Government set aside 20 per cent of the excise department’s revenue to help people suffering from liver cirrhosis and jaundice due to alcohol consumption. He said, “The Government is saying it will collect Rs 43,000 crore in revenue from the sales of liquor this year. Provide 20 per cent of it to treat these people who suffer later.”
BJP MLC K S Naveen said there was only one government hospital for liver-related ailments and that the poor cannot afford private hospital treatment.
Naveen said, “The Government is setting a target and forcing the sale of more liquor. This has led people to illegally store liquor at houses and sell it in villages. A lot of young women are becoming widows, and kids are becoming orphans… By issuing fresh licences, the Government is nothing but worsening the situation to collect revenue for the state. There are a lot of youngsters getting addicted to alcohol, which is also contributing to domestic violence and crimes in the state.”
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Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju, who is the leader of the House in the Council, said the Government was not promoting alcohol consumption but had increased taxes.
“We are issuing warnings and have a temperance board, and are creating awareness about the dangers of alcohol,” he said.
Boseraju also said the Government did not have any plans to allocate 20 per cent of excise revenue as demanded by the BJP MLC.