Social Welfare Minster H. Anjaneya has said the government is not averse to sanctioning more liquor shops in small towns and rural areas to check illegal sale and production of spurious liquor.
The announcement has come even as there have been protests by organisations demanding that the government withdraw its proposal to issue new permits to open liquor shops.
According to Excise Department figures, there are about 7,500 liquor shops and bars in the State with licences, including 2,500 in Bangalore city.
Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Anjaneya said that owners of roadside grocery shops, tea shops, petrol stations and petty shops were selling Indian-made liquor (IML) illegally at higher prices following denial of permission to open liquor shops in small towns and hoblis.
Opening more shops would help check illegal sale of liquor or illicit liquor in grocery shops at higher rates, he said.
He said prohibition in the State would not be successful unless in it was done throughout the country. Prohibition in one State would lead to illegal movement of liquor from other States. In the interests of people’s health, he favoured prohibition throughout the country, the Minister said.
Helpline
Mr Anjaneya said a separate helpline would be set up in hostels run by the Social Welfare Department to ensure supply of quality food to students on time. Students could use helpline to make complaints. Higher authorities would be directed to act on the complaints within 24 hours, he said.
The department runs 2,067 residential schools, which includes 12 offering PU courses, in the State. Of the 2067, 574 hostels were being run from rented buildings.
The department runs 2,304 educational institutions and provides admissions to nearly 2.3 lakh students.
A total 1.93 lakh students received admission in various classes from standard one to 12 in 2012–13, according to the Minister.
