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BJP’s N Ravikumar argued that the government, which has set an excise revenue target of Rs 43,000 crore, has a moral obligation to the very demographic keeping its treasury afloat
Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday witnessed a peculiar demand. (News18)
In a debate that veered between serious public health concerns and grim economic cynicism, the Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday witnessed a peculiar demand: since alcohol consumers essentially bankroll the state’s flagship “guarantee schemes”, the government must reserve 20 per cent of its excise revenue to treat their failing livers.
Raising the issue under Rule 330, BJP MLC N Ravikumar argued that the state government, which has set an ambitious excise revenue target of Rs 43,000 crore for the year, has a moral obligation to the very demographic keeping its treasury afloat.
Ravikumar’s argument was stark. He contended that while the government enjoys the financial fruits of liquor sales, the consumers are paying with their lives. Citing alarming statistics, he noted that nearly 15 lakh people die annually across the country due to alcohol-related ailments, with one in five deaths attributed specifically to jaundice and liver damage.
“The government’s guarantee schemes are running on the money of these Madyapriyaru (liquor lovers),” Ravikumar stated. He proposed a utilitarian, albeit controversial, logic: if the state invests in treating these patients, it prevents premature deaths. “If they are treated and survive, they will likely consume more alcohol, which only increases the government’s revenue. Therefore, earmark 20 per cent of the income specifically for their medical treatment,” he urged.
In his written reply, excise minister RB Thimmapur flatly rejected the demand for a separate healthcare fund. He explained that all excise revenue is deposited into the state’s consolidated fund and cannot be isolated for specific treatments. He added that alcohol-related illnesses are already covered under general schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission.
However, the minister’s defence included a surprising revelation regarding the state’s drinking habits. Thimmapur disclosed that beer sales had witnessed a significant slump in the current fiscal year. Between April and September 2025, the state sold 195 lakh boxes of beer, a drop of nearly 47.46 lakh boxes compared to the same period last year. Attributing this 19.55 per cent decline in growth to the climate, the minister claimed: “Heavy rains and a persistent cold atmosphere have led to a decrease in beer consumption.”
The minister’s reasoning drew sharp ridicule from senior BJP leader CT Ravi. Interjecting in the debate, Ravi questioned the logic that cold weather deters drinking. “In a cold atmosphere, alcohol consumption usually goes up. How can you claim it has gone down?” he asked, dismissing the excuse.
Ravi pivoted the discussion to the government’s aggressive revenue policies, accusing the administration of “destroying families” by setting high sales targets for officials. He also highlighted the menace of bootlegged liquor, alleging that fake alcohol is being widely sold under the guise of “Military Quota” brandy.
“Tourists coming to Chikmagalur are no longer coming for the views; they arrive stocked with bottles to party. You must stop promoting drinking just to meet targets. The government needs to provide a ‘Guarantee of Life’, not just schemes funded by addiction,” Ravi asserted.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 09, 2025, 09:49 IST
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