Bar owners complain of rampant corruption, pressure to reach high sales targets

BENGALURU: Bar owners in the city have opposed the government’s new excise policy while also alleging rampant corruption by officials and pressure to achieve targets.

Members of the Bengaluru city bar owners’ association met today and discussed various issues including demands from officials for bribes, permit policy, trouble from fake RTI activists and pressure to meet excise targets. They now plan to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and present all the issues before him.

Bengaluru city bar owners’ association Lokesh speaking to media persons after the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, association president Lokesh said, “The government is setting targets and it has become difficult to operate. The officials also pressure us to increase sales and problem of bribes is beyond control. It is not possible to operate our business in these circumstances”.

Further, he said they are ready to reach sales targets, but added that the government shoud consult them before introducing a new excise policy. “We have decided to apprise the CM and based on the decision, we will decide on the future course of action”, he noted.