A lively debate over Karnataka’s rising excise revenue target started some unusual suggestions at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. While one lawmaker proposed giving men two free bottles of liquor every week, another pushed for a complete ban on alcohol. The contrasting ideas have sparked fresh discussions on the state’s dependence on liquor revenue.
In his 2025-26 Budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah increased Karnataka’s excise revenue target to ₹40,000 crore. This is a jump from the ₹36,500 crore the government aims to collect by the end of the current financial year. But how will the state hit such a big target without raising alcohol taxes again?
Senior JD(S) lawmaker MT Krishnappa, who represents Turuvekere, raised this concern during the Assembly session. He pointed out that the government has already increased liquor taxes three times in just one year. According to him, this is putting a heavy burden on the poor.
Krishnappa had a solution to this problem — give men two bottles of liquor for free every week.
“We can’t stop people from drinking, especially the labor class,” Krishnappa said. “At their cost, you’re giving ₹2,000 per month to women, free electricity, and free bus travel. That’s our money anyway. So, to those who drink, give them two bottles of liquor-free every week. Let them drink. How can we give them (men) money every month?”
He even suggested that the government could distribute free liquor through state-run societies. His comments left the Assembly amused.
Responding to this, Energy Minister K J George said, “Win the election, form the government, and do this. We’re trying to make people drink less.”
On the other side of the debate was senior Congress lawmaker BR Patil, who called for a complete ban on alcohol.
“This excise revenue… it’s sin money. It’s the blood sucked out of the poor. This money can’t build the nation,” said Patil, the Aland MLA. He urged the central government to impose prohibition at a national level. “Mahatma Gandhi once said that if he were a dictator for two hours, he’d first prohibit liquor,” he added.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad also raised concerns about Karnataka’s increasing dependence on excise revenue. He pointed out that the state spends ₹28,608 crore annually on the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which gives ₹2,000 every month to women.
“From women, we’re recovering ₹36,000 crore in the form of excise revenue,” said Bellad, the BJP’s Hubli-Dharwad (West) MLA. “Should the state be so dependent on liquor? If this continues, where do we go? States like Bihar run without any excise revenue. Excise accounts for just 0.1% of Gujarat’s revenue,” he argued.
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge defended the government’s decision by pointing out that the previous BJP government had also set an excise target of ₹35,000 crore.
“You can’t use principles of Gandhi as well as those of RSS at whim,” Kharge said, highlighting the political angle of the debate.
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