Karnataka Excise Department collected a revenue of Rs 7,500 crore through sale of liquor during 2009-10, excise minister B Renukacharya said today.

In April this year, the revenue collection from excise rose by 24 per cent to Rs 567 crore from Rs 454 crore in the year-ago period.

In a bid to eradicate the menace of the sale of illicit liquor and its health hazards, it had been proposed to set up village committees in every grama panchayats to create awareness, he said.

During the recent panchayat elections, six people died in Chickballapur district due to consumption of illicit liquor, he said adding, two officials from the excise department had been suspended and district police instructed to nab the culprits.

He said 753 cases were registered in the state relating to unauthorised sale of liquor during the Panchayat elections.

Bangalore Division tops the list with 155 cases. Police have arrested 398 people.