Tipple treat for tipsy New Year bash

BANGALORE: The state government has decided to allow bars and restaurants to operate beyond permitted hours on New Year’s Eve, Excise Minister M P Renukacharya said.Addressing the media after a meeting with senior department officials, he said that owners of liquor outlets can extend their business hours after obtaining permission from authorities. A license fee of Rs 11,500 needs to be paid for the same.The minister said that sale of liquor witnessed a 10 per cent growth in December. “We have received over 400 applications seeking permission to extend business hours on New Year’s Eve,” he said. Renukacharya detailed that the sale of beer and IMFL recorded a growth of 14.10 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. “A total of 345.98 lakh boxes of IMFL and 145.90 lakh boxes of beer respectively have been sold.” According to the minister, a jump in liquor consumption and crackdown on illegal hooch dens have contributed to the increase in sales.The department has already mobilised a revenue of over Rs 6,534 crore as against Rs 5,523 crore in the corresponding period last year. “The menace of illicit liquor still looms large over Bagalkot, Bijapur and Belgaum districts; such brewing centres have reduced to 460 from 1930,” the minister said.