Date:13/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/13/stories/2008051355930300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

It’s time for Mysoreans to say ‘cheers’ again

Staff Correspondent

Liquor shops, pubs and bars were crowded on Sunday

MYSORE: After almost four days of bars and liquor shops being closed on account of the Assembly elections, consumers in Mysore hit the bottle in a big way on Sunday and Monday.

Most liquor shops, pubs and bars in and around the city seemed crowded on Sunday, the day on which business resumed.

They continued to do brisk business on Monday as well.

Though the district administration had restricted the sale of liquor on May 8, 9 and 10, the Excise Department officials started closing liquor shops and bars well before noon on May 7.

The department officials, who had been ticked off by the district administration for not maintaining strict vigil against transportation of illegal liquor, tried to ensure that there was no laxity.

Brisk business

A majority of the 200-odd wine shops in the city did brisk business even as pubs and bars were crowded with customers.

The department officials said they had seized 1,388 litres of Indian-made liquor, 773 litres of duplicate liquor, 293 litres of beer, 200 litres of rectified spirit and 255 litres of blend, which were being illegally transported and sold during the election campaign in the region.

Also, eight vehicles were seized and 30 persons were arrested. The total value of liquor seized amounted to Rs. 7.75 lakh.