Bengaluru, March 17 Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur told the Assembly on Tuesday that the state government will introduce new laws with strict measures aimed at preventing the illegal sale of liquor.
He advocated for stricter action against individuals involved in selling chloral hydrate powder, which is used to make illicit liquor, and said that efforts are being made to bring it under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
"No new laws have been introduced for 60-65 years. This is because the punishments are not strict enough, which allows these illegal and criminal activities to continue. Measures are being taken to introduce new laws under a committee headed by retired IAS officer K P Krishnan. We will enforce strict measures under their guidance," Timmapur said.
He was responding to Raichur Rural Congress MLA Basanagouda Daddal during the Question Hour.
He stated that the Excise and Police departments are working to control the illegal sale of liquor and register cases, and said, "Chloral hydrate powder is dangerous for humans; it is being brought in small packets from neighboring Andhra Pradesh to produce large quantities of illicit liquor."
He added that chloral hydrate powder is not covered by the NDPS Act and that it should be brought under it.
The state government will be sending a recommendation to the Centre in this regard.
"If these measures don't work, we will introduce a new law and take strict action," he added.