1 am deadline: Bengalureans drink less, pay more traffic fines

Bengaluru traffic police have hijacked the expected profit of excise department

In a surprising turn of events, the Bengaluru traffic police have hijacked the expected profits of the Karnataka excise department. When the new 1 am deadline for weekdays was announced, the Karnataka government was hoping to increase its revenues through liquor sales.

But the expected profits was not gained by the excise department. It has mostly gone into the coffers of the Bengaluru traffic police, who have been raking in large amounts in fines.

After the official order in July to extend the timings of bars and restaurants till 1 a.m., the traffic police have been patrolling till 2 am, to prevent drunken driving.

In the month of July, the cops have filed more than five thousand drunken and drive cases (3152 cases from west division and 2419 cases from east division - totalling 5571 cases). This is more than double the number of cases filed in June.

“We have been ordered to patrol for a minimum of 30 minutes after the closure of bars and restaurants and we are complying with the order," R Hitendra, Additional Police Commissioner, Traffic division said.

But the statistics of the excise department show a drop in profits in the month of July compared to the previous months. 9,15,086 liquor boxes (7,96,343 litres) were sold in the month of July. 10.52 lakh liquor boxes were sold in the month of May and June respectively. So July saw a marginal dip.

"The extension of the deadline has not profited the excise department. Besides all bars and restaurants are not be open till 1 am anyway," SR Umashankar, State Excise commissioner.

This news did not come as a surprise to others though.

"Extension of night life is not profitable for liquor shops. Some class bars and restaurants may gain some profit. Besides, the association had never demanded the government for time extension," M Govindaraja Hegde, Chief Secretary, Karnataka State Liquor Shop Owner’s Association said.

Sold liquor boxes (Rs. In lakhs)