Bantwal: One office, one Jeep, one driver… Is that enough for a Excise subdivision office? Not really, but its the reality in Bantwal excise office, where for a deputy superintendent and 9 constables there is only one Jeep and a driver.

Yes, the condition in the Taluk excise office is miserable. Excise department provides the second highest income, after the commercial tax department, to the government. The taluk office functions from a rented building at Kaikunje in BC Road and is headed by Ratnakar Rai who also works for Mangalore office, has been appointed as deputy superintendent and rest of the posts remain vacant.

As per the rules there should be a DySP, Inspector, ASI, one officer, 3 assistant officers, one driver, and other office staff. But here we find only one driver!

What is the reason?…There is no answer. Two years back a full time deputy superintendent was appointed. Then another who was appointed on a temporary basis got transferred within months. So Rathnakar Rai was appointed from Mangalore office.

In Bantwal taluk there are 16 bars and restaurants, 28 wine shops and one MSIL government shop. Though Illegal liquor trade has stopped in the taluk, the trade is carried on houses and small shops illegally. The scarcity of staff in excise office is perhaps indirectly the reason for these illegal businesses.