Wine Merchants withdraw decision to halt liquor sales in Karnataka on Nov 20
Bengaluru: The Federation of Wine Merchants’ Association in Karnataka has decided to withdraw its decision to halt liquor sales across the state on November 20, the CMO said on Tuesday.
Last week, the Association had decided to halt liquor sales across the state on November 20 alleging “rampant corruption” in the Excise Department and the government’s “failure” to heed its demands.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s meeting with wine merchants’ was successful and they have clarified that they will not go on strike,” the Chief Minister’s office said in a statement.
According to the statement, the CM during the meeting, assured that the demands of wine merchants will be reviewed sympathetically, and enforcement will be done to ensure that the merchants' businesses do well and bring more revenue to the government.
The CM said the Excise Commissioner will be instructed to monitor and ensure that officials don’t harass wine merchants, and take action against errant officials.
Siddaramiah also assured that his government will consider implementing a counselling system for transfer of excise department officials.
He also instructed the officials to submit a report regarding problems faced by the wine merchants.
While announcing the strike, the Wine Merchants’ body had urged the CM to call a meeting to address their issues and take action to curb corruption in the Excise Department.
The demands they had put forth included — merger of the Excise Department with the Finance Department, a guarantee to raise the profit margin on retail liquor sales to 20 per cent, among others.
During the meeting today, the wine merchants’ clarified that they have not complained to the Governor that there has been corruption in the Excise Department, and lies have been spread about this.
“We have nothing to do with the complainant. If necessary, the matter can be verified and investigated,” the representatives of Wine Merchants’ Association were quoted as saying.
An RTI activist had earlier this month sent an email to the chief minister, the Governor, and others, levelling corruption allegations against the excise minister and excise department officials.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
