Karnataka Minister favours ban on liquor too

Spurred by Federal Government’s decision to ban smoking in public places, Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda made out a case for banning all forms of liquor in the state.

“Along with the ban on smoking, there should be a ban on liquor too”, said Gowda while speaking at function organized at National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Though Karnataka has already banned arrack - a form of country toddy – the ban should be expanded to cover all other forms of liquor including beer, he said.

Gowda claimed that the Government was considering prohibition after NGOs and other groups dared the BJP Government to ban all forms of liquor and not just arrack.

“Some people may think it is impractical to ban all forms of liquor. But, someone has to make a beginning somewhere. We have started by banning arrack. We can take the next step by banning run, whisky, beer and other spirits”, Gowda said.

Gowda claimed that the recent ban on arrack has proved wrong the argument that a ban on any form of liquor will lead to a dip in the state’s revenues. “On the contrary, the revenues have increased. It will prove wrong the contention that state governments cannot exist without the revenues from liquor businesses”, Gowda claimed.

Gowda said he was also against betting on horse races. “I am of the opinion that gambling on horse races should be banned. As it appears difficult, we are shifting the race course out of the City’s limits”, he said.
Gowda welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to ban smoking in public places and sought a ban on cultivation of the tobacco crop. The employees of tobacco processing and cigarette manufacturing companies should be provided with alternative employment, he said.