Minister H Nagesh withdraws remarks on door delivery of liquor in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Sep 5: Karnataka Excise Minister H Nagesh on Thursday retracted his statement favouring door delivery of liquor to individuals with required permits, after it drew flak from several women's organisations.
He further clarified that there was no such proposal before the state government.
".. I was asked (by a media person) about the online booking and supply of drinks I did not know about the system.. I was talking about the permit system in some states, where there is prohibition, as an example.
It has been wrongly interpreted as if we are looking to implement door delivery (of liquor)," Nagesh said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "There's no proposal before the government to do so... Because if done, it will affect families, and our women folk should not face any problem."
"... since liquor is available easily here, there's no need for that here," he added.
Nagesh had on Wednesday spoken in favour of door delivery of liquor to individuals who have required permits.
He, however said it has to be decided at the higher level and public opinion in this regard also needs to be considered.
The Minister had also said he proposed introduction of mobile liquor shops for those living in hamlets, who otherwise consume illicit liquor and fall ill.
However, the Minister on Thursday clarified that there was no proposal to start mobile shops, before the government.
Pointing out that in 'thandas' (hamlets) and other places bootlegging takes place, he said, officials have been asked to take action.
"Our officials are sensitising people, but there's little success. My wish is to tackle this - so a campaign will be launched," he added.
The Minister also denied reports that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had sought an explanation from him following the backlash on his statement from women activists.
Responding to a query on the demand for prohibition, Nagesh said, "Whatever I say will be magnified and this isn't a question I can answer at my level. Any such proposal should be discussed at the highest levels, with the Chief Minister..."
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Bengaluru man arrested for sharing misleading ‘zombie drug’ video
Bengaluru (PTI): A day after a video of a man seen in a disoriented state went viral on social media with claims that he was under the influence of a so-called “zombie drug”, police on Friday arrested a 29-year-old employee of a private firm here for uploading the “misleading” video.
Hemanth, a resident of Vidyaranyapura, was issued a notice to join the inquiry, police said.
Learning that the police were looking for him, he posted an apology on social media. He was later taken into custody, a senior police officer said.
A case has been registered against him under Sections 353(2), relating to statements conducing to public mischief, including spreading false information or rumours that could incite public disorder, and Section 352, dealing with intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, among others, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police added.
After Hemanth uploaded the video, it quickly went viral on Thursday.
Later, police clarified that the man shown in a disoriented state in the video had not consumed any narcotic or psychotropic substance.
He was subjected to a medical examination, and the report confirmed that there was no trace of narcotic substances, Bengaluru police said.
The police also urged the public not to spread unverified or misleading information on social media platforms, as such content can create unnecessary panic and harm individuals’ reputations.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed the man standing motionless. People claimed he might be under the influence of a synthetic “zombie drug” and raised concerns about its availability in the city.
An inquiry revealed that the individual seen in the video had come to Bengaluru in search of a livelihood and had been residing there for the past three months, police said, adding that further investigation is ongoing.
The police warned that strict action will be taken against persons found spreading false information or rumours.
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