'Provide Two Bottles of Free Liquor...' Liquor Debate Hots Up in Karnataka Assembly, Sparks Controversy

A heated debate took place in the Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday over the state’s ambitious excise revenue targets. While one senior MLA suggested giving two free liquor bottles per week to drinkers, another called for complete prohibition.

In the 2025-26 budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah increased the excise revenue target to ₹40,000 crore, with the government expecting to collect ₹36,500 crore by the end of the current financial year.

"We Cannot Stop People from Drinking" – MT Krishnappa

JD(S) senior MLA MT Krishnappa, representing Turuvekere, criticized the frequent hikes in excise taxes, stating that they heavily burden the poor.

“In just one year, the government has increased excise taxes three times. How will you achieve the ₹40,000 crore excise target without another hike?” Krishnappa questioned.

He argued that restricting alcohol consumption, especially for the labor class, was unrealistic. “You are giving ₹2,000 per month to women, free electricity, and free bus travel at their expense. It’s their money. So why not provide two bottles of liquor per week for drinkers? Let them drink. Why should we only give money to women?” he suggested.

Krishnappa even proposed that the government distribute liquor through committees, asking, “What’s wrong with that?”

"First, Ban Liquor" – Congress MLA BR Patil

Energy Minister KJ George responded sharply, saying, “Win elections, form a government, and do it. We are trying to reduce alcohol consumption.”

On the other side of the debate, senior Congress MLA BR Patil strongly advocated for prohibition.

“This excise revenue is sinful money. It is sucked from the blood of the poor. It cannot build the nation,” said Patil, who represents Aland. He urged the central government to enforce prohibition nationwide, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “If I were a dictator for two hours, my first act would be to ban liquor.”

Karnataka’s Growing Dependence on Excise Revenue

Earlier, BJP MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad raised concerns about Karnataka’s increasing reliance on liquor revenue.

“Women receive ₹2,000 per month under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, costing ₹28,608 crore annually. Meanwhile, we collect ₹36,000 crore in excise revenue. Should the state depend so much on alcohol? If this continues, where will we end up? States like Bihar operate without excise revenue, and in Gujarat, excise contributes only 0.1% to revenue,” Bellad argued.

Counterattack from Minister Priyank Kharge

IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge countered by pointing out that the previous BJP government had also set a ₹35,000 crore excise revenue target.

“If you were really serious about prohibition, you would have campaigned for it. Now, why don’t you propose a prohibition bill? Who is stopping you?” Kharge said, accusing the BJP of selectively invoking Gandhi’s and RSS’s principles.

As the debate continues, Karnataka remains at a crossroads—balancing excise revenue with social concerns over alcohol consumption.