Reiterating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s stand that it aims to create awareness to reduce liquor consumption rather than impose a blanket ban on bar hotels, Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan has said that the sale of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) has come down in the State, in comparison to the UDF tenure.
According to the figures presented by the Minister in the Assembly on Wednesday, 689.56 lakh cases of IMFL were sold in the State from July 2016 to September this year. During the corresponding 39 month period of the UDF government, 715.84 lakh cases of IMFL were sold. The number of cases of beer sold during both the period remained almost same around 401 lakh cases.
"The LDF government does not claim this to be a major improvement. There could be fluctuations from time to time over various reasons. Our aim is to bring down consumption through sustained awareness campaigns,’’ said Mr. Ramakrishnan.
After the LDF government came to power, bar licence was provided for 383 hotels. In addition, 158 new bar licences and 31 beer and wine parlour permits were also given. A total of 565 bar hotels and 365 beer and wine parlours were opened during the LDF tenure. However, the number of Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) outlets have come down to 277.
To a question on increasing instances of drug abuse among the youth, Mr. Ramakrishnan said the government had stepped up enforcement, which was reflected in the increase in number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act during the LDF tenure.
A total of 21,363 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and 2,42,611 cases COTPA Act during the LDF tenure.
