Prohibition activists demand restoration of local bodies’ powers at meeting with Minister
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Prohibition activists have demanded that the powers of local self-government bodies to regulate the establishment of liquor outlets be restored. They placed the demand before the United Democratic Front (UDF) government of Keralam even as it kickstarted consultations with stakeholders on formulating a new liquor policy.
Excise Minister M. Liju on Wednesday held talks with around 20 organisations that work on anti-liquor and anti-narcotic campaigns, in Thiruvananthapuram.
Representatives of multiple associations said that their key demands included restoration of the local bodies’ regulatory powers and reconsideration of moves promoting availability of beverages with low-alcohol content.
Hussain Madvoor, Patron, Kerala State Prohibition Council, who had sent a representative to the meet, said that any proposal to reduce tax or otherwise increase the availability of low-strength alcoholic beverages may be reconsidered, considering its possible impact on public health and family welfare. “Also, the earlier legal provision and the participatory role of local bodies in deciding on the establishment of liquor outlets in their respective areas, which were removed in 2017 by then government, may be restored,” he said.
Iyyachery Kunhikrishnan, president, Kerala Madya Nirodhana Samithi, also echoed the demands. He said his forum had also demanded that committees with statutory powers be constituted at local body levels to prevent the manufacture and distribution of illicit liquor and other intoxicants.
Mr. Kunhikrishnan termed the consultation a positive gesture and exuded confidence that the government would consider their demands favourably.
The campaigners also demanded that the number of liquor outlets in the State be cut down to half in the next five years by reducing 10% each every year.
Sources with the Excise department said the government was yet to take any decision on the upcoming policy, and it considered as important listening to the opinion of all stakeholders, including prohibition activists.
The department has scheduled consultations with employees in the sector on Friday. Meetings with former Excise ministers, prominent people in society, toddy parlour licensees, and bar owners will be held in the coming days. “The consultations will conclude by October 1, and the policy is expected to be drafted by mid-October,” a government source said.
Mr. Liju had recently said that the government was aiming to formulate a very balanced and socially responsible liquor policy that is also suitable for advancing tourism and industry, after considering views from all sections of society.
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