BENGALURU, May 25, 2026 — Karnataka’s Excise Minister R.B. Timmapur has underscored the need for an inclusive approach to the state’s alcohol-beverage industry, emphasizing that farmers must be integral to its growth trajectory. Speaking at an industry conclave, Timmapur said that since most raw materials—such as barley, grains, fruits, and other agricultural produce—are sourced from farmers, their participation is essential for sustainable industrial progress.
The Minister asserted that the growth of Karnataka’s brewery ecosystem should extend beyond breweries, manufacturers, and front-end industry players to benefit farmers and raw material providers at the grassroots level. “The growth of the brewery ecosystem should not only benefit breweries, manufacturers, and front-end industry players, but also farmers and raw material providers at the grassroots level,” he stated during the event.
Karnataka’s alcohol industry currently generates nearly ₹40,000 crore annually in excise revenue, a figure that the government aims to significantly increase through forward-looking policy frameworks. Over the past year, the state has implemented major excise and regulatory reforms to enhance the ease of doing business and strengthen the alcohol-beverage ecosystem. These reforms include simplifying label approvals, streamlining declared price and MRP updates, adopting digital compliance mechanisms, introducing annual license renewal reforms, and rationalizing operational procedures to create a more transparent, technology-enabled, and industry-friendly environment.
Timmapur also highlighted the government’s commitment to sustainability initiatives within the sector. He stressed the importance of practices such as bottle recycling, wastewater treatment, water conservation, and environmentally responsible manufacturing to protect the ecosystem. Additionally, he noted that promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports would help build a stronger, globally competitive Indian brewing industry.
Shivkumar Eashwaran, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Canadian Crystalline Water India Limited, and Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in South India, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized that sustainability, inclusive growth, and resource optimization would define the future of the alcohol-beverage industry. “Water conservation, wastewater recycling, energy efficiency, and circular economy practices must become integral to brewing and distillation operations,” Eashwaran said. “Karnataka has the opportunity to emerge as a globally benchmarked sustainable brewing ecosystem.”
The conclave brought together key stakeholders from the industry to discuss the future of Karnataka’s alcohol sector, with a shared focus on economic expansion, social inclusion, and environmental responsibility. The state’s proactive policy measures and emphasis on farmer welfare signal a strategic shift towards a more balanced and resilient industry model.
