Wine Merchants’ Submit Memorandum to Stop Harassment by Excise Department officials
Pics By Ankith
Udupi: The Udupi district president of Wine Merchants’ Association on Wednesday, September 26 submitted a memorandum to the manager of Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited Udupi district to stop harassing the Bar owners to buy IML against beer.
Speaking to media persons Govindraj Hegde president of Udupi district wine Merchant association said that the State Excise Department officials want the public to consume hard liquor over lighter alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. Excise officials are allegedly promoting the sale of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) over beer at their warehouses.
Owners of wine shops and bars have allegedly been ‘told’ by the excise officials to sell more IMFL and less beer. The reason, they say, is that the exchequer gets higher tax revenue from IMFL drinks than from beer. The Bar and wine outlet owners are finding it difficult to toe this line because more people prefer beer.
It is an unofficial rule the excise officials have imposed on the owners of wine shops and bars. They have to buy a certain number of hard liquor cases every time they want to replenish their stock. If they do not comply, they are harassed, he alleged.
“We are being harassed by the excise department officials. The procurement of liquor from warehouses never happens as per our need. For example, if there is Rs 2 lakh in my account, I send a requirement list of IML and beer for that amount. Excise officials at a Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited (KSBCL) warehouse cuts off the entire list of beer and replace it with IML. How can I serve IML to a customer who comes for a beer?”
We are harassed in order to bring in more revenue for the government. We have hence, submitted a memorandum to the concerned authorities,” he added.