Liquor prohibition : Kerala likely to become dry state


Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22 (DHNS) : Kerala moved a step closer to a long-debated possibility of prohibition on liquor after the Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday recommended a complete ban on its sale in the state phased over the next 10 years.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a meeting with coalition partners here that only bars in five-star hotels would remain open in the state from April 1, 2015.

The meeting was scheduled to iron out differences within the front over re-opening of 418 bars closed over poor maintenance standards.

The discussion threw up unexpected, stringent recommendations which, if implemented, could lead to major social changes in the state that has a high alcohol consumption and thousands grappling with addiction-related problems.

The recommendations will be evaluated by the state Cabinet and if cleared, submitted to the court as the state’s liquor policy.

Apart from the 418 closed bars, the 312 functioning bars will be closed by April 1 next year. The state will seek legal counsel on closing these bars where proprietors have already paid licence fees. The state-run beverages corporation (Bevco) will not open new outlets and cut down 10 per cent of the existing number every year.

“The United Democratic Front government had announced that no new Bevco outlet will be opened. The government has stuck to its stand over the past three years. Now on, 10 per cent of the existing number of outlets will be reduced every year,” Chandy said.

Revenue from sale of liquor in Kerala stood at above Rs 9,000 crore in the last fiscal. The state has already banned arrack since 1996.

The chief minister said those working in bars and Bevco outlets would be rehabilitated. Five per cent of Bevco’s annual revenues will be used to roll out rehabilitation schemes. The ruling front also recommended a ban on the sale of liquor on Sundays.

The closure of 418 bars in Kerala based on an expert committee’s evaluation of maintenance standards had snowballed into a political flashpoint after Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V M Sudheeran – a fiery advocate for prohibition – faced criticism from even within his party.

Over the past couple of weeks, Sudheeran’s statements on the issue found more favour from senior alliance partners including Finance Minister K M Mani.

Some Congress seniors who initially found Sudheeran’s stand extreme and “impractical” later endorsed it after critics of the KPCC chief were being dubbed favouring liquor lobbies.

The UDF’s decision on Thursday could prop Sudheeran as a champion anti-liquor crusader.

With the prohibition move, the ruling front is also likely to mend fences with some sections of the Church who had been critical of the government’s liquor policy.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Irfan, Mangalore/K.S.A

    Sun, Aug 24 2014

    Quran has banned it 1435 years Ago.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Sun, Aug 24 2014

    Excerpt from today's TOI (Mumbai Edition) article.....

    "Indeed, the increase in consumption of liquor in Kerala in the last 10 years has been phenomenal, zooming from 97 lakh liqour bottles in 2003 to 244.33 lakh bottles last year. The per capita consumption stands at 9.2 litres, well above the national average, pipping even Patiala-peg Punjab. But, again, is prohibition the answer? The average Malayali male, three whiskies down, is a tiger in the bar but back home among wife and mom and daughter, he turns into a mouse, at best a little prankish like Mickey. In fact, depriving these mild souls could actually backfire. A point that noted writer Paul Zacharia makes. “This decision shows how hypocritical we are as a society.C Govt. would be responsible for all future hooch tragedies that are bound to occur in the wake of the ban,'' he says.

    Mumbai-based psychiatrist Harish Shetty hints at darker developments. “If you deprive the bare minimum pleasures there will be worse forms of substance abuse. The ban of alcohol may be effective in poor rural areas where people spend all their savings on desi daru, but not in states like literate Kerala where people are capable of taking their own independent decisions,'' he says.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Sun, Aug 24 2014



    Liquor prohibition : Kerala likely to become dry state.


    People will find ways to buy liquor through other sources and consume it and the illicit liquor industry will mushroom to play havoc with people's life.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • JOY CASTELINO, MOODUBELLE/DUBAI

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Double Dhamaka for smugglers. Now they can smuggle Beef from Kerala to Mangalore & going time smuggle Liqour from Mangalore to Kerala!!!!!!!!.Lage Raho..........

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kusuma Kumari G, Nellore/Kodyadka

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Very nice moove and Mangalore will be a hub for liquor sale for nearing area Kasaragod.Mangalore Kundapur and Udupi area economy will gain momentum Happy news for liquor smuglers from Kundpaur Udupi and Mangalore to Kerala Jai Hind

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajan Pereira, Bangalore

    Sat, Aug 23 2014

    The Govt should also ban lipsticks,hair dyes, anti antiperspirants,talcum powder, sanitary napkins, Oil of Olay , Ladies jewellery ( as it is a financial burden on their husbands and all other ladies fashion products as they contain harmful chemicals. Jewellery is actually meant for ugly looking necks and faces.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vinit D, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    I hope this sort of ban is imposed all over India or else liquor should be made so expensive that one should think twice before drinking it. Millions of households will be benefited from this . Today because of the availability of liquor at affordable prices a lot of people are addicted to it and the side effects are violence, rape, bribery, goondaism etc. etc.

    DisAgree [22] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Which 'stone age' are you living in to connect all crimes to 'liquor'???

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sir Lancelot, Manglore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Kerala dry state, then Manglore will boom flourish in liquor business. Like liquor banned for Saudis Bahrain is a heaven for boozers.

    DisAgree Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    On the face of it, though it looks good, from a "teetotalers" perspective, it will be an exercise in futility and deprive the state exchequer of valuable funds (Kerala gets the maximum excise on spirit sales), instead the same funds will get into the hands of illicit brewers, liquor smugglers, regulators and the entire chain involved, REAL ESTATE PRICES WILL BE PUMPED UP FURTHER!! It will lead to loss of many jobs of those who are directly or indirectly involved in the 'spirits' business, loss of low cost tourists who cannot afford 5 star luxury!!

    It has been noted that it is not so hard to procure both illicit and branded spirits in one of the strictest autocratic countries of the world!!

    Good for neighboring state (border area) vendors whose biz will increase manifold and also lot of tourists from Kerala just for buying 'spirits'!!

    TODAY, with this ban news, THOSE IN THE ILLICIT LIQUOR 'CHAIN' TRADE WILL BE THE HAPPIEST AS IT WILL OPEN A VAST MARKET AND SCOPE FOR THEM TO MINT MONEY!! Jai Hind!!

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Kerala is the highest spirits consuming state in India and brings lots of money to the Govt. coffers, and banning liquor will be of no use, it is big loss to the exchequer and lots of jobs of those working directly/indirectly in the industry will be lost, will have rious effects on low cost tourism!! The one who will be very happy with this decision will be those who make illicit liquor and those who do black marketing, the neigboring states like Karnataka and Mangalore city will have more people coming just for enjoying "spirits", time for vendors here to celebrate the imminent influx!!

    It is a well known fact that alcohol, both home made brew and branded, is not so difficult to procure even in the most strictest of autocratic countries with strict punishments!!

    INDEED BLACK MARKETEERS, ILLICIT BREWERS AND THEIR CAHOOTS WILL BE THE HAPPIEST ON THIS DECISION!! Jai Hind!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jerry, mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Practically speaking within a years time Kerala's GDP will increase. Accident rate will come down. Individual savings will be higher and Standard of living will increase. The result Kerala will be more prosperous than before. I Bet.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vasant Raj, Mangalore / Abudhabi

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    TALAPADY will get more wine shops, as well as Bars...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh Colaco, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Prohibition will bring in bootleggers and smugglers into the fray. Tellicherry, Mangalore,Virajpet, Puttur and liquor dealers in Tamil Nadu will have roaring business. But most Keralites like Brandy !

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • John R Lobo, Kaikamba/Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    1.New Bar and Wine shops will opening in Talapadi. Ullal area under patronage of Politicians ( They have partnership Cum Profit share )
    2.Mallu Police become millioner within few months
    3.Political parties ( Cong & Leftist ) get uninterrupted fund from Kasargod smugglers.
    4.Kasargod smuggler will stop Gold smuggling from Dubai and start Liquor smuggling.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • kuldesh, bangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    consumption of alchohol was there when human civilsation started.no can stop it untill the end of the era of human beings on earth.alchohol and prostitution are the only 2 oldest commodities which were there since the human civilsation and will still be untill the end of human species on earth.
    a man with the common sense should know when to stop drinking.
    i have read in some medical journo that a man with with 0% alchohol consumed in his entire life is more likly to die faster than a man who drink occassionally.fire can be used to cook delecious food so also it can destory the entire house.
    moral of the story:
    "athiyadare amruthavu vishavagutte"

    DisAgree [4] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, Badiadka/Bangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    @R Mallar - WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU TAKING??????

    Do you think only Hindus in Kerala Drink alcohol???? Christians and Muslims dont?

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Prashant, don't get worked up so much. Today's Gulf News (Dubai) head line says 'Kerala Church, Muslim League warn against reopening bars". I never said if the decision is right or wrong, who drinks and who doesn't etc. Watch Malayalam channels if you want more knowledge.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    The ban is part of politics. Church and Muslim league wanted a ban. Congress can't ignore both. Within congress this is used as a tool to corner the Chief Minister by his rivals.

    Just a thought, if this was brough by a BJP ruled state, what would have been the reaction of our secularists?

    Cheers!!!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    With about 4L per capita alcohol consumption, India still can be called the land of Gandhi. According to WHO report, India ranks very low at 154 and Saudi Arabia at 180 in 184 countries surveyed by WHO. Kerala has per capita alcohol of 8L, highest in India. Since, India has very few types of alcohol (beer, whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, cognac and a many other variety) consumption of whisky among alcohol is 91%. In Saudi Arabia, mostly alcohol that is smuggled from Bahrain is black label and chivas regal which are whisky, they do not have a choice. Hence, out of the alcohol consumption there, 93% is whisky. These are all as per WHO report.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEDDU, MANGALURU

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    haaa haaa haaa haaa haaa I CANT STOP LAUGHING !!! YOU KNOW WHY !!!

    THERE IS NO VISA REQUIRED TO VISIT MANGALAPURAM !!!!!

    HAAA HAAA HAAA HAA..............

    DisAgree [11] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • INDIAN, MANGALORE

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    He he he he.. joke of the day

    DisAgree [5] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • sameer, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 23 2014

    mr peddu .... kerala is not only till kasaragod as u cant control laugh for visa as u told ....they ar not fool to cme from 200 km to 600 km to drink in mangalore what peddu ...if drink closed in mangalore do u go to bangalore for drink????? just apricate kerala govt

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter Lewis, Kalmady/k s a

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    what a pity of our Nation? what to drink and not to drink by a common man deciding by these brainless Politicians? You Brainless politicians can drink in 5 star Hotels looting Public Money. If you have Brain Control Drugs Which harms our youngsters.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • vellano1, Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    thank god its not MODI in kerala!! but savior of masses oomen chandy!! else by now, param sekulars wld have bombed this space with 100 comments :-D slowly Mallus will create a atmosphere same as Saudi arabia here in kerala itself, so that they dont have to go middleeast for jobs!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • BABA, BANGALORE

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Kerala has the best human development indices in infant mortality, maternal mortality and literacy. It also has the highest rate of substance addiction, wife battering and suicides. High time that liquor was banned in the state.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasanna Prabhu, udupi

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Govt Run Liquor shop is OK...but NOC from spouse YAKE???

    DisAgree [1] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ivan, Mangalore/Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Dinbar mehnat karke
    Boss se gaali kaake
    galti se loss ho ke
    Beevi bachonse gham chupake
    Jhoota muskaan dikhake
    jo bura huva woh bhoolke
    chain ki neend sone me
    dho peg ka yogdaan tu kya jaane Chandi Babu.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vikram, mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Is it really possible. I feel kerala govt is fooling people.
    Guys see the date they have ed to ban 1st of April (It's fool day)
    Ha ha ha ....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raghav, mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mangalore tourism died the day we had all the pub attacks,home stay attacks and ice cream parlor attacks.
    No tourism only rowdyism in mangalore.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • kuldesh, bangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    today in a leading english daily ,they have given list of top whiskey drinking nations and per capita consumption.it shows india at 91% and saudi arabia at 93%.i was surprised

    DisAgree [5] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • manoj, sacheripete

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    WHAT ABOUT TODDY...ANY IDEA?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robin, Byndoor

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Buddy, You ask Reddy or Yeddy.

    I have heard that Toddy is Rich in protein early in the morning. But it will turn to Alcohol later in the day. Toddy is also used to prepare Dosas. If it is processed before it turn to alcohol and if possible to provide in hygienic way, MAY BE OK.

    Toddy from Palm Trees were used to prepare Gadgery (Ole Bella). It is a difficult business. So, Many villagers who are doing that business ped as it is uneconomical and laborious. Attention is needed to revive that business.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af, mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Toddy is good used for idlees, and so tasty.(Vole bella is having medicne property, this business almost disappeared now.
    if you take limited (toddy or liquor)it is ok, other wise Amrutha also become poison if you consume excess.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robin, Byndoor

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Agreed. By the by the Title says:

    "Liquor prohibition : Kerala likely to become dry state "

    Is Kerala Wet now due to Liquor ? Kerala has enough back waters to keep it wet without Liquor.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Report Abuse

  • karthik.ks, Doha Qatar

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    I urge in karnataka also The Liquor should be allowed to drink only in 3 star and above restaurants/hotel.All road side Bar/restaurants which is came up everywhere even near school/hospitals/devotional places should be closed or denied its licence renewal .Drink to licence(Same as Liqour License in Gulf) system should be brought Inn..to obtain a to drink liquor license.., getting NOC from their spouse is made mandatory. And Govt should open Liquor shops based on population one in an village or one for an panchayat, which can be operated like society under Liquor department and only sold to the licence holder strictly and allowed to consume in their home only. Thus the discipline in liquor consumption brought.Karnataka CM should immediately bring the Liquor policy change. and to control the Bar/Restaurant Lobby.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen kunder, udupi

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Getting NOC from spouse??? Corruption will start in from house. Bribe value will be high to get a NOC. So crap NOC

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • dinesh shetty, Nitte/Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Floks...you agree or not even it is banned...anybody who take liquor..at any cost or by any means he will find it.You can not stop a person from drinking by just Banning the Liquor shops..he will find alternative.If its not available in Kerala.. they will come and Get it from mangalore, Thats sure..I think..the Govt should Ban all BAR/Restaurants and allow only Govt run Liquor shops at least one in an Village/Panchayat.Kerala Govt decision is nothing but 5 star liquor lobby..which will hardly effect the poors.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robin, Byndoor

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    We also want it be wiped out from Karnataka by hook or crook.

    Those who failed in colleges find GREAT SUCCESS in this business and pose an un-bearable threat for those who gained ranks and got decent jobs.

    Liquor PARAMATMA is responsible for majority of crimes. The killer will come to know that he killed his father or mother when blood alcohol level went down ONLY.

    After viewing all sorts of nuisance all my life I just have a hope that a DAY WILL COME - on that DAY there will be NO SALE of Liquor.

    Our south India is in a HOT zone. Liquor may be of some help to Cold Countries. But for us, life is possible without it.

    A strong leader must emerge to bring justice to society.

    Liquor or Alcohol generated as bi-product in sugar industry can be utilized as fuel for vehicles after mixing with Petrol.

    Need of the hour is a DECISION MAKER.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jones, manipal

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    How about Karnataka going for the same policy. Agree or Disagree?

    DisAgree [47] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.C.Kamath, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    There has been prohibition in Gujarat since 10 years during Modi's rule as CM. Yet every possible brand is available and door delivered through agents. The booze comes from Diu and Daman. The BJP in Gujarat was raking in huge money of nearly 7-10k Crores a year. That is the reason why Modi never used central BJP funds to fight the elections and kept the central BJP leaders mouth shut.

    Ommen Chandy plans to do the same circus.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Modi did not brought in liquor ban in Gujarat for your information. It was there for long time as a respect to Gandhiji.
    Don't view everything with jaundiced eye please

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil George, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Duty Free Liquor shops in Calicut, Kochi and Trivandrum airports too will be closed. Dubai duty free liquor too will be banned.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Allen, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Very bad news for Karnataka! Already our state is filled with Mallus coming for jobs and studies and now, drunkards from Kerala also will start settling down here!!

    DisAgree [11] Agree [93] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    Blessings in disguise for Mangalore Tourism ...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • G Bhandary, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 22 2014

    @ Jossey, not a matter to be happy about Mangalore tourism as all important buisinesses including liquor is with BJP people.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse


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