BJP wants govt to take over liquor business

Puducherry: The BJP on Tuesday demanded that the government take over the liquor business in the union territory to increase revenue for implementation of various welfare schemes.

As the liquor business is traditionally a lucrative revenue source, government could take it over as it is presently in critical financial condition, the party's local unit secretary SP Damodar told reporters in Puducherry.

Presently wholesale and retail sales of liquor products are in the private sector.

He said government needs funds for welfare schemes. Any hike in value added tax or bus fare would draw criticism and so without touching these sectors government could go in for running liquor business to strengthen its coffers, he said.