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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Rajgir (Bihar), Nov 19: Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run and defeated Japan 2-0 to enter the final of the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 48th minute while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in the 56th minute for India, who had plenty of scoring chances including 13 penalty corners.

India will face China, whom they defeated in the league stages, in the final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal.

Malaysia will take on Japan in the third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.

The Indians continued their attacking game and put on early pressure on the Japanese defence, just like the last league game.

The play was mostly inside the Japanese half as the Indian defence was hardly tested.

India had the first shot at the goal inside the initial five minute. Skipper Salima Tete's attempt was thwarted by Japanse goalkeeper Yu Kudo.

The Indians repeatedly penetrated the Japanese citadel and in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes but Kudo was alert under the bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika.

Three minutes into the second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find the back of the net.

It was raining penalty corners for the hosts as they got back-to-back set pieces in the 21st minute but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again.

In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by another in the next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as they also lacked in execution.

A minute after the change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both.

In the 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece.

In the 41st minute, Deepika stole the ball just outside the Japanese circle, but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.

Seconds from the end of third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from another penalty corner.

In the 47th minute, India secured their 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo.

But a minute later, India broke the deadlock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika and Navneet made no mistake.

The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Indians as they scored a fine field goal in the 56th minute.

Lalremsiami slammed into the back of the Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo's terrific run from the right flank.

Japan got a penalty corner in the dying moments, but failed to get past a rock solid Indian defence.