Thiruvananthapuram: For the tourism sector in Kerala and tens of thousands of staff working in more than 700 liquor bars in the state, Christmas has turned more cheerful as the United Democratic Front diluted its stringent liquor policy aimed at total prohibition in a decade on Thursday.
But the government itself faced strong attack from anti-liquor activists and Christian churches for backtracking from its stated ambition of total prohibition. The opposition, Left Democratic Front, said the dilution of the liquor policy gave credence to their argument that the liquor lobby had forced the government’s hand.
After a special cabinet meeting on Thursday evening, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced changes to the liquor policy, based on “practical aspects”. Accordingly, all the 418 bars that were closed under the new liquor policy, will reopen with licences to sell wine and beer. In effect, all the 700-plus liquor bars in the state in various categories will be back in business.
Also, the decision to impose ‘alcohol-free Sundays’ was also removed. Chandy explained, “It was my suggestion to keep Sundays as dry days. It was not found to be effective. Therefore, it is being withdrawn”.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V.M. Sudheeran, who has steadfastly argued for total prohibition, did not immediately comment on the cabinet decision, but political observers said the government’s decision was a clear indicator that the party president had been overruled.
The U-turn by the government has given temporary solace to the tourism sector and the liquor bar sector, both of which had been devastatedto the government’s new liquor policy. In all, ten staff members attached to liquor bars reportedly committed suicide following the government’s decision to shut down bars. Announcing the decision to reopen bars, Chandy said the government “cannot ignore the plight of workers caused by the provisions of the liquor policy”.
Ahead of the government decision to dilute its policy, Latin Catholic archbishop, M. Susaipakiam said the Church would oppose any move to reopen liquor bars, adding that the Church had “felt respect” for the government when it announced the policy aimed at prohibition. Kerala Catholic Bishops Council representative, Fr T.J. Antony also criticised the government’s decision to dilute the liquor policy.
State finance minister K.M. Mani is facing a vigilance case after the working president of the state liquor bars’ association, Biju Ramesh alleged that the minister had been bribed Rs10 million (Dh580,599) to help keep the bars open. The alleged bribery happened at a time when the government was pushing towards a policy of prohibition.
