Karnataka’s Chief Minister has directed officials to take strict measures against liquor smuggling from Goa. He warned that those who fail to meet tax revenue targets could face consequences for their inaction.
Karnataka CM Calls for Action Against Liquor Smuggling from Goa
On October 29, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed the excise department to take strong action against illegal liquor smuggling from Goa, which is affecting the state’s excise revenue. In August, the government reduced excise duties to make premium liquor more affordable and compete with prices from neighboring states.
With the Congress-led government under pressure to boost revenue—especially as it implements five electoral promises costing around ₹55,000 crore annually—Siddaramaiah reviewed tax collections and emphasized the importance of meeting targets. The excise tax target for 2024-25 is ₹38,525 crore, and as of October 28, ₹20,237 crore has been collected, achieving 52.53% of the goal. This year’s collections are ₹1,301.15 crore higher than the same time last year.
He warned that officials who fail to meet targets will face consequences, particularly in commercial tax collections, which are set at ₹1,10,000 crore for 2024-25. So far, ₹58,773 crore has been collected, which is 53.5% of the target.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the need for coordinated efforts and monthly reviews, stressing that reaching these financial goals is crucial for the state’s development. He also mentioned that the Kar Samadhana scheme, which waives interest on unpaid excise duties, could generate an additional ₹2,000 crore.
