Drink less, holiday more? Keralam's new liquor policy aims to strike a balance
The UDF government in Keralam is preparing a new liquor policy aimed at promoting responsible drinking while balancing social responsibility with the interests of the tourism sector, Excise Minister M Liju said on Friday, according to news agency Press Trust of India.
Liju said the policy would differ from that of the previous LDF government. It would seek to reduce alcohol consumption without weakening the tourism sector, which provides jobs and livelihoods to many people.
“The UDF government wants a liquor policy that is different from the one introduced by the LDF government. There will certainly be elements in our policy that are distinct from the previous government's approach,” he told reporters in Thrissur.
“We want to promote a culture of responsible drinking in Keralam. Reducing alcohol consumption and ensuring that the tourism sector is not weakened are both important. The government will adopt a balanced policy that addresses these concerns,” he said.
According to PTI, Liju said the first round of discussions on the new policy had been completed in October. The government planned to announce it in November, as it had informed the Kerala High Court.
Referring to the previous government's Horti Wines policy, Liju said the decision to allow the products to be sold through bakeries had followed amendments to the relevant rules.
The present government cancelled a licence granted to a bakery to sell Horti Wines because it did not consider it appropriate to allow beverages containing 15 per cent alcohol to be sold through such outlets.
“Even though the concept of Horti Wines may benefit farmers, its distribution should be undertaken with social responsibility. Allowing wine with 15 per cent alcohol content to reach bakeries simply because the rules permit it is not beneficial to society,” Liju said.
He said the Excise Department was examining whether officials, including deputy excise commissioners, had issued licences under provisions amended during the previous LDF government's tenure in a manner that went against the present government's policy.
“Some licences can be issued at the level of deputy excise commissioners. We have received information suggesting that certain activities may have taken place contrary to the government's policy. These are being examined,” he said.
Liju said strong action would be taken if the government found that licences had been issued under existing rules in violation of its policy.
“The government has a clear position on this. The UDF's liquor policy will not be a continuation of the LDF's policy. It will be distinct and will place emphasis on social responsibility,” he said.
The proposed policy will, therefore, focus on reducing alcohol consumption and promoting responsible drinking while protecting the tourism sector, with the government maintaining that it will not continue the previous LDF administration's approach.- Ends
