Government optimistic of achieving excise target

Newly-inducted Karnataka minister for excise M P Renukacharya today said that government was well on its way of meeting its excise collection target of Rs 7,000 crore for financial year 2009-2010.

Speaking at his maiden press conference after being sworn in as Minister, Renukacharya said it had collected Rs 4200 crore and expected to achieve its target by the end of the fiscal. He pointed out in the last two years the government had exceeded its target.

The MSIL, the state's marketing body, had taken up issuance of 463 retail licenses for liquor, indicating the government's foray in the retail space in this category. On the issue of manufacture and sale of illicit liquor, he said 42 cells had been set up to monitor illicit liquor and to curb this menace.

The total excise arrears amounted to Rs 550 crore, out of which Rs 250 crore were owed by a single institution. Renukacharya, a dissident MLA, was inducted into the Yeddyurappa Ministry on December 24, which has now snowballed into a major controversy in the ruling BJP with a section of dissidents seeking his ouster from the cabinet.