Bengaluru: The Karnataka finance department has issued draft rules on auctioning defunct excise licences with which the Siddaramaiah administration hopes to rake in around Rs 500 crore amid fiscal stress.

To mobilise additional resources, the government wants to auction defunct CL-2 (retail liquor shop) and CL-9 (bar & restaurant) licences. Authorities are also planning to auction unused CL-11(C) licences, which are given to retail outlets run by the Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL).

There are 579 such licenses that will go under the hammer, according to Excise Minister RB Timmapur’s office.

Licences will be auctioned online and awarded to those who make the highest bid, the draft rules say.

Karnataka has not issued new CL-2 and CL-9 licences since 1992, making them prized possess

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