The government has appointed a committee to study the impact of alcohol consumption on the individual, the family and society. Dr K Vijayakumar, head, Department of Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, heads the committee.
Dr Rema of the same department is a member of the committee formed on the recommendation of the Subject Committee on Excise of the Kerala Assembly. The terms of reference of the committee include mental and health issues caused by alcoholism, diseases and financial loss and its impact on the economic sectors.
The committee has also been asked to look into the possibility of piloting awareness camps with the help of NGOs in one or two panchayats which do not have bars and FL-1 shops. For funding the panel’s activities, the Excise Minister has sanctioned Rs 20.36 lakh from the State Beverages Corporation (Bevco). This amount will be handed over in three installments