Q. The Kerala Government’s liquor policy has been one of the most widely discussed topics in the recent times. Has this policy made a difference in the alcohol consumption habit of the average Malayali? Will there be no turning back from this path in the future?
The CPM has to take a firm stand on the liquor policy
Oommen Chandy
Chief Minister
The closure of bars and phased ban on liquor in Kerala were perhaps the most far-sighted and courageous decision taken by the UDF Government during the five years of its governance. We had to do so, because, such was the dreaded influence of alcohol on Kerala society. In fact, Kerala registered the highest rate of per capita liquor consumption in the country. At 8.7 litres, it is more than 2.5 times that of the national rate. The menace of liquor has pervaded all walks of life. It has resulted in unhappy families, social nuisances, road accidents, untimely death of talented personalities, loss of jobs and income, and deteriorating health and suicides.
The new liquor policy has been the culmination of the past efforts of the UDF Government. It began with a ban on arrack by the A K Antony government. After coming to power in 2011, we raised the age for buying liquor from 18 to 21 and reduced the volume of liquor that one can keep, from 27.1 litres to 15 litres. Through the closure of 730 bars and a percentage of government sales outlets annually, we have put a rein on the availability of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), leading to prohibition, after 10 years, in the State. Annually, Kerala had registered a 16 per cent increase in the sales of liquor. But, the new liquor policy has resulted in a significant dip of 26 per cent in its sales. Bar owners faced a daily loss of `100 crore. As expected, the stakeholders alleged corruption against my Cabinet colleagues. A year-long and detailed police investigation proved all those allegations to be vendetta-based.
Meanwhile, in the audio recordings, that have been heard over and over by the people of Kerala through the media, Biju Ramesh, a bar owner in the State, could be heard speaking to his colleagues regarding the assurance that he has got from the higher-ups in the CPM on the re-opening of the 418 bars.
After failing in their initial moves, the bar owners tried in vain to corner the government through the solar scam accused. This accused had already stated that the CPM approached her (Saritha Nair) with an offer of `10 crore to topple the UDF Government. The latest stand of the CPM on the new liquor policy vindicates the revelations of Biju Ramesh. As a policy matter, they favour abstinence to a total ban. Since abstinence is an individual’s choice, this cannot be taken as a stand of a government or a political party. It is high time the CPM took a firm and clear stand on the liquor policy. In the event of the UDF continuing in power, we will stand by our decision and the policy.
Prohibition is not the answer
Pinarayi Vijayan,
CPM Politburo member
The consumption of alcohol should be brought down in a phased manner. But prohibition is not the answer. If prohibition is imposed it will only lead to the consumption of spurious liquor, which could lead to hooch tragedies. The policy of the UDF Government has not brought the consumption level down. Even the figures available with the Beverages Corporation prove it. The liquor policy should be evolved on an year-to-year basis. This has always been an annual feature. Taking in to consideration the various aspects, the LDF will decide on it, when it comes to power.
The people are being taken for a ride
Kummanam Rajasekharan
BJP state president
The liquor policy would not have been an issue in the upcoming elections had those who proposed and opposed it had been sincere. But every urchin in Kerala knows that all the hue and cry being raised now for and against the new liquor policy is absolute humbug.
The closure of the majority of bars was the result of political rivalry between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC chief V M Sudheeran. Thanks to the controversy that is now raging in the state over the closure of bars, the bar owners and abkari contractors have started blackmailing political leaders in the UDF and LDF. The leaderships of the UDF and LDF have succumbed to the pressure of the liquor lobby. The situation is that, whether one accepts or not, these people have set the agenda in state politics. The UDF and LDF leaders have to dance to their tunes. It is the unholy nexus between the liquor barons and the political leadership which is more dangerous for Kerala society and polity. Once voted to power, the liquor policy of both UDF and LDF will no doubt be pro-liquor lobby. The Congress is already in a frantic bid to wriggle out of the present plight while CPM leaders are reported to have already assured some liquor barons that the closed bars will be opened. Therefore, the whole furore is much ado about nothing. The people are being taken for a royal ride by both the fronts with regard to the bar issue.