Bengaluru: As the Department of Excise brings a huge amount of sum for the government treasury, the State Government has issued a license to 208 new liquor shops for the year 2017-18.
In the state, there are 10,297 liquor shops including retail shops, bar and restaurants, clubs, and MSIL. The government has no proposal of banning liquor in near future. Though such demands are heard in some corners, the chance of banning liquor is lean. They may raise the issue, but will not take the step during the time of the election.
The government is not issuing licenses to CL 9 (Bar and Restaurant), CL 2 (Retail shop), but new licenses are being issued for CL 11C (MSIL), CL4 (Club), CL 6A (Star Hotel), CL 7 (Hotel and Boarding House) and CL 8 (Military canteen). There is no limit to give a particular number licenses per year. The government also receives applications for single-day licenses for Christmas, New Year etc.
Among district-wise licenses, Bengaluru Urban has most number of licences-3,189, Bengaluru Rural- 176, Chikkaballapur-166, Kolar- 228, Ramanagar- 179, Tumkur-341, Bagalkot-253, Belagavi- 619, Vijayapura-195, Dharwad- 263, Haveri-154, Bidar- 145, Kalaburagi- 238, Raichur- 209, Yadagiri-92, Bellary-267, Chitradurga- 222, Davanagere- 279, Gadag-134, Koppal-140, Dakshina Kannada-469, Kodagu- 218, Shimoga- 236, Udupi- 380, Uttara Kannada- 156, Chamarajanagar-119, Chikkamagalur-197, Hassan-297, Mandya-239 and Mysuru- 496
The state capital Bengaluru has the most number of liquor shops. It has 3,189 liquor shops and 31 micro breweries shops. The city has the most number of alcoholics and there is a huge demand for new shops.
