Liquor store owners up in arms against excise department over largescale corruption

BENGALURU: Liquor store owners called for a statewide liquor sales shutdown on November 20, demanding action against the alleged largescale corruption among officials in the Excise Department and also to seek fulfillment of various other demands.

Liquor shop owners claim that Excise officials demand hefty bribes for transfers, promotions and other favours without any fear of law and order. This has led to an increase in substandard liquor supply from across the state. The association has accused officials of accepting large sums of money from licence holders.

The liquor shop owners are pressuring the government to hand the responsibility of the Excise Department to the Finance Department.