No new liquor stores in rural areas, announces CM

BENGALURU, CHITRADURGA: Amid the controversy over a proposal to open more liquor stores in rural areas, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ruled out any such move. This comes after he made a commitment to this effect to Public TV in an exclusive interview.

Responding to questions from media persons at the Murugharajendra helipad on his arrival in Chitradurga on Friday, the CM said, “No, we are not opening any new liquor shops. The excise minister (R B Thimmapur) had only said we will think about it, but we won’t open any more liquor stores”, he asserted.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah committed not to allow any new liquor stores, during an interview with Public TV Chairman and Managing Director H R Ranganath.

In an exclusive interview with Public TV Chairman and Managing Director H R Ranganath, who appealed to the CM not to grant any new liquor licences, Siddaramaiah said, “I have never said our government will open more liquor stores. Our Excise Minister had only raised the issue since very few SCs and STs have liquor licences. When he discussed with me, I told him that we will consider the issue next year”.

When it was stressed that he should not allow any new liquor stores during his full term, the CM reiterated, “I have told Thimmapur that we will not take up the issue this year and we will consider it next year”.

When it was pointed out that allowing more liquor stores would send a wrong signal among women, Siddaramaiah said, “Yes, I have a lot of women fans. It is quite natural that women will oppose any such move”.