Karnataka Government Rejects Liquor Revenue Proposal for Health

The Karnataka Government has declined a request from the Opposition BJP to allocate 20 percent of its revenue from liquor sales for the treatment of liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis and jaundice. This decision, announced on Monday, highlights the government’s stance on alcohol consumption and its efforts to combat related health issues.

During a session in the Council, N S Boseraju, Leader of the House, emphasized that the government is not promoting alcohol use. He pointed out that measures have been implemented to discourage consumption, including increased prices on liquor and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the dangers associated with alcohol.

In a related context, even in the prohibition state of Gujarat, the government reportedly generated Rs 94 lakh from liquor sales at GIFT City. Boseraju explained that revenue estimates are part of efforts to monitor and regulate illegal sales rather than encourage consumption.

The minister stated, “There should be reforms in society. On humanitarian grounds, help is extended for treatment under the CM’s relief fund. Treatments are available under PM Jana Arogya Yojana, National Health Mission, and superspecialty hospitals.” He clarified that the health and excise departments operate independently, with their budgetary allocations derived from total revenue collected.

Opposition Chief Whip N Ravikumar raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of liver diseases linked to rising alcohol consumption. He cited the government’s ambitious liquor sales target of Rs 43,000 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, arguing that this goal contributes to both legal and illegal alcohol sales, exacerbating public health issues.

Ravikumar stated, “Poor people suffer from liver diseases for which treatment is expensive. If the government helps such people to get cured, they may bring a little more revenue to the government.” He highlighted that 2.2 percent of deaths in Karnataka are attributed to liver diseases, underscoring the urgency of addressing this health crisis.

The discussion also revealed that Karnataka recorded 6.88 crore cases of liquor sold, despite being the ninth most populous state in India. K S Naveen of the BJP pointed out the inadequate health infrastructure, noting that the state has only one government institute to treat liver cirrhosis and just 30 gastroenterologists. He called for the appointment of a gastroenterologist in each district and stricter enforcement of excise regulations to combat illegal liquor sales.

Within the debate, B K Hariprasad from the Congress party remarked that alcohol consumption has become ingrained in culture, while others suggested that it is not solely responsible for liver diseases. Ramesh Babu of Congress urged the central government to take action against tobacco sales, which he identified as a significant health risk leading to cancer.

As discussions continue, leaders like C T Ravi, Bharati Shetty, and Hemalata Naik from the BJP have stressed the importance of addressing youth addiction to alcohol. The contrasting perspectives reflect a complex interplay between health, policy, and societal norms regarding alcohol consumption in Karnataka.