Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured members of the Federation of Wine Merchants’ Association that their demand to roll back the recent hike in liquor licence fees will be examined, amid growing backlash over the increase in licence and sales prices.
On Monday, a delegation from the federation met the Chief Minister in Bengaluru and submitted a formal memorandum urging the state government to withdraw the draft notification issued on May 15. The notification proposed a sharp increase in licence fees for wine merchants, sparking widespread concern across the sector.
The Chief Minister’s assurance comes as the government faces mounting pressure from industry stakeholders over the financial impact of the revised fee structure. The wine merchants have argued that the hike would adversely affect their businesses and lead to higher retail prices for consumers.
The government has yet to make a final decision on whether the notification will be amended or withdrawn.
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