Kerala liquor policy debate has again become heated,and this time issue is over low-alcohol beverages . And honestly,this kind of topic always becomes sensitive fast because it touches tax,public health,politics and social concerns all together.
Excise Minister M. Liju addressed media questions about recent Budget proposal to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages in Kerala . But he clearly said no final decision has been taken on actually bringing these beverages into market.
His point was that proposal should be seen more like financial move to manage taxation,not some big policy shift toward alcohol availability . And that difference is what government is trying to stress rn .
But controversy is also linked to Abkari Act ,which was amended by previous LDF government in 2023 to create separate category for low-alcohol beverages . M. Liju pointed at this and questioned why LDF leaders are now attacking same type of move.
“The very leaders of the LDF who brought in these provisions are now criticising the move . What is the logic behind it?” he asked . That is sharp political counter only,because government is basically saying criticism is coming from people who opened door earlier .
Few things standing out in this debate:
- No final decision has been taken on introducing low-alcohol beverages into market .
- The UDF government has not allowed any new bars since taking office .
- Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil said proposal sends negative message to society .
And this is where issue becomes more than just tax discussion . Government is saying its policy is still focused on gradual reduction of alcohol availability,while critics feel even tax relief on low-alcohol beverages sends wrong signal.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also defended government’s approach,saying policies are transparent and aimed at public health . He also pointed to absence of new bars as proof that government is not trying to expand alcohol access.
At same time,concerns from Bishop Inchananiyil and other community voices are not small thing ah . In Kerala,liquor policy always carries social weight,and any small change gets read as bigger message.
Detailed discussions on state’s liquor policy are expected after Assembly session . But for now,question is still hanging there… is this just taxation adjustment,or beginning of another long political fight over alcohol in Kerala…
