Closure of 3000 bars costs Rs 45 crores loss to State exchequer Liquor traders to meet tomorrow to discuss further action CM calls for a meeting today to discuss the loss to State exchequer Closure of bars has adversely affected hotel industry
With the Supreme Court ordering the closure of bars within 500 mt distance from highways, more than 3000 bars are shut down causing a loss of Rs 45 crore to the State exchequer within three days. The Excise Department had anticipated a closure of 2000 bars but actually the number has increased to 3000 taking into consideration highways, service roads attached to Highways and alternate roads, reported Kannada Prabha.
Secretary of Karnataka Liquor Traders' Association, Govindaraj has confirmed the closure of 3000 bars in the State. “We have closed around 3000 bars out of existing 10,500 in the State and the loss incurred to liquor traders runs into several crores. The closure of bars has also adversely affected the hotel industry. On July 6, a meeting of the liquor traders' association has been called in Bengaluru to discuss further action”, he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a meeting on Tuesday at 5 pm at his home office Krishna to discuss the loss suffered by the State due to closure of bars and other related issues.
