Thrissur , The UDF government is working on a new liquor policy that will focus on promoting responsible drinking while balancing social responsibility with the interests of the tourism sector, Excise Minister M Liju said on Friday.
“The UDF government wants a liquor policy that is different from the one introduced by the LDF government. “We want to promote a culture of responsible drinking in Keralam. Reducing alcohol consumption and ensuring that the tourism sector is not weakened are both important. “Some licences can be issued at the level of deputy excise commissioners. We have received information suggesting that certain activities may have taken place contrary to the government’s policy.
Speaking to reporters here, Liju said the government’s approach would be different from that of the previous LDF regime and would not be a continuation of its liquor policy. There will certainly be elements in our policy that are distinct from the previous government’s approach,” he said. The government will adopt a balanced policy that addresses these concerns,” he said. Liju said the first round of discussions on the new liquor policy had been completed in October and the government intended to announce it in November, as already informed to the Kerala High Court. Referring to the previous government’s Horti Wines policy, he said the decision to permit the sale of such products through bakeries had been taken after amending the relevant rules. Liju said the Excise Department was examining whether licences had been issued by officials, including deputy excise commissioners, by invoking provisions amended during the previous LDF government’s tenure in a manner contrary to the present government’s policy approach. These are being examined,” he said.
