Pub owner under police scanner for promoting ''Student Night'' event in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Jul 26: The Mangaluru city police have recommended that the Excise Department take action against a pub owner for the alleged promotion of a social media post inviting students to indulge in a liquor extravaganza entitled ‘Students Wednesday Night’, officials said on Friday.
The promotional poster of this event had gone viral on the social media.
According to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, the pub’s promotional poster, which was circulated widely on social media, explicitly restricted entry to students with a valid college ID and offered complimentary drinks for female attendees.
Following the post going viral on social media handles, outrage ensued online, with netizens condemning the establishment for targeting students. Calls to revoke the pub’s permit gained momentum, while others defended the marketing strategy on legal grounds.
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Commissioner Agarwal quickly responded to public concerns by instructing the pub to cancel the event.
Additionally, he urged the excise department to take appropriate action against those responsible. In these matters only the Excise department can take action, the police said.
In a statement on Friday, the police chief said, “On July 25, 2024, it came to our attention through some posters being circulated via whatsapp that Hotel Lalbagh Inn in Derebail, Mangaluru (Liqour Lounge Bar) was promoting alcohol consumption to students and minors through messages on social media, offering certain discounts to them on a particular day."
This action constitutes a violation of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965 and the conditions specified under licensing provisions. Consequently, the Excise Department has filed an FIR against the pub owner under relevant section of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965.
For the said violation, the Excise department is the only authority empowered to file the case, Agarwal added.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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