Bar closure timings will be extended: Renukacharya

Mangalore Today News Network

June 9: Excise Minister M. P. Renukacharya announced that all bars and restaurants in Karnataka will be permitted to close at 2 p.m., instead of the usual 11:30 p.m. He was speaking to reporters at the Vokkaligara Bhavan on Tuesday. 

The excise minister further explained that the bar closure timings have been extended for the benefits of the tourists. He also revealed that star hotels and tourists in Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Mangalore, and other major cities of Karnataka had pressurized the state government to extend the closure timings of bars and restaurants. 

Pointing out that the major cities of Karnataka are home to several business enterprises and trade conferences and are frequently visited by delegates and tourists from home and abroad, he said that the move will generate more revenue for the state. A final decision regarding the timings will be taken after discussing the matter with the home minister and the chief minister, he said and added that he was willing to extend the bar closure timings. 

The minister also expressed confidence that the excise department will meet the excise revenue target of Rs 7,500 crore this year. He revealed that the collection was Rs 567 crore against a target of Rs 454 crore in 2009. He also said that 11,086 cases were booked during the previous year and 4,345 people were found to be involved in trading illicit liquor. The department had collected Rs 6.91 crore in penalties along during the past year, he informed.