Karnataka: Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, announced on October 6, putting an end to the growing speculation surrounding the possibility of opening more liquor shops in the state.
Addressing the media in Chitradurga, he categorically stated, “No, we are not opening…who suggested we are? While a minister mentioned considering it, we have decided against it.” Siddaramaiah went on to confirm that the state’s excise department had no intentions of granting new licenses for liquor store establishments.
According to the reports, the Karnataka government received a proposal from the Karnataka Excise Department, advocating for the establishment of liquor stores in gram panchayats with populations exceeding 3,000. However, this idea faced strong opposition from political parties like the BJP and JD(S), who labelled it as “anti-people” and urged the government not to approve it. The proposal generated significant public backlash, particularly led by women, resulting in protests in multiple locations across Karnataka.
In clarification, the Chief Minister emphasized that “It was merely a proposal under consideration, and we have decided against opening new liquor stores.”
Additionally, Siddaramaiah talked about the appointment of Congress workers to key roles as presidents and directors in various state-run bodies and corporations, assuring that this process would be finalized soon.
The Chief Minister also drew attention to the prevailing “green drought” situation in the state. He stressed the importance of assessing the situation based on actual conditions and referred to the ongoing evaluation by a 10-member inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) visiting the state for a four-day examination of the drought conditions. The state had informed the team that crop damages had exceeded Rs 30,000 crore, with 195 out of 236 taluks declared drought-hit according to central guidelines.
There is 52 per cent crop damage, covering approximately 42 lakh hectares. Siddaramaiah also highlighted the low water levels in most of the state’s reservoirs and noted that the state had sought ₹4,860 crore in drought relief from the Centre, despite actual losses estimated to be around ₹30,000 crore.