Wine shops across the State will remain closed on April 30 as the merchants have threatened to pull down shutters to press for their demands.
The Federation of Wine Merchants’ Association, Karnataka, has accused the State government of ignoring their grievances despite them contributing a huge revenue to the exchequer.
Their demands include withdrawal of value-added tax levied on licence holders, withdrawal of notification that compels closure of liquor shops during election code of conduct, redressal of problems in renewal of licences, and withdrawal of hike in licence fee.
The federation’s general secretary, B. Govindaraj Hegde, told reporters that in 2014-15, the State’s excise revenue was over Rs. 13,801 crore and in 2015-16, it is estimated to touch Rs. 15,300 crore.
The federation will take out a march to the Chief Minister’s residence on April 26 and hold a ‘permit bandh’ on April 28 and 29.
