Church bodies oppose move to reduce tax on low-alcohol beverages

The State government’s proposal to lower the tax on low alcohol beverages appears to be emerging as an early political flash-point, drawing opposition not only from sections within and outside the ruling coalition and the Opposition but also from influential Christian church bodies.

The State Committee of the Temperance Commission under the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council on Monday opposed the proposal and described it as an ‘anti-Gen Z’ move. The commission also warned that it would resist the government’s decision if the objective behind the move was to boost revenue collection by encouraging the consumption of stronger and higher taxed liquor.

“Liquor with low-alcohol content is not intended to serve existing drinkers; rather, it is aimed at creating new consumers of alcohol. While the government announces benefits and welfare measures for gender equality and women’s empowerment, it is not appropriate to exploit the same section of society through other means. The government should withdraw from such covert strategies aimed at generating revenue by pushing such vulnerable sections into alcohol dependence and exploiting their weaknesses,” the commission said in a statement.

The commission said the policy, which has been opposed by various community leaders and organisational platforms across the State, should be rejected at the outset. Such a move, it added, would further strengthen the public support gained by the V.D. Satheesan government during its first 30 days in office.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has also come out strongly against the proposal, terming it a dilution of efforts to combat addiction.

“There is no need to classify intoxicants as mild or strong. All forms of intoxication are harmful. Many children are drawn into the trap of dangerous narcotics after being exposed to seemingly harmless, low-intensity addictive substances. The argument that making low-alcohol beverages easily available will prevent the younger generation from turning to more dangerous drugs is illogical,” said Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros Metropolitan, head of the media wing of the Orthodox Church.

He also expressed hope that the positions taken by senior leaders such as V.M. Sudheeran on the issue would serve as a corrective force against the proposed policy.