Kerala minister defends low-alcohol beverage plan

T’puram: Health minister K Muraleedharan defended govt’s proposal to permit the sale of low-alcohol beverages, saying the move aimed to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and prevent tragedies caused by the consumption of illicit liquor.

He said chief minister V D Satheesan had already informed the assembly that the party and the ruling front would discuss the issue before taking a decision. He added that creating a conducive social atmosphere was essential to achieve total prohibition and that the govt would work towards that objective.When asked why low-alcohol beverages were being introduced, Muraleedharan said habitual drinkers would continue consuming alcohol regardless of restrictions.

“If such beverages are not available, some people may resort to consuming adulterated liquor, leading to disasters. The purpose of offering low-alcohol drinks is to lessen the impact of alcohol consumption,” he said.Responding to former KPCC chief VM Sudheeran’s criticism that the tax structure for low-alcohol beverages should not be included in the Finance Bill, the minister said the matter did not warrant a public debate and it should be discussed within the party and the front.

Muraleedharan reiterated that Kerala was moving gradually towards total prohibition. He distinguished alcohol consumption from narcotic drug abuse, saying drug addiction often leaves little scope for recovery and therefore requires stringent action.Referring to liquor policies of previous govts, the minister said former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s govt had reduced the number of bars in Kerala, while the state’s current problems resulted from the liberal liquor policies followed over the decade by the previous govt.He also noted that former chief minister K Karunakaran, despite being a teetotaller, introduced the state-run beverage corporation to ensure the availability of safer liquor for consumers. He said the concept behind low-alcohol beverages was similar, although he acknowledged that such a policy could not continue indefinitely.Muraleedharan said Chandy’s regime initiated a phased approach towards prohibition that aimed to gradually reduce alcohol consumption by lowering the alcohol content over time. He stressed that the law prohibits supplying alcohol to students and warned that govt would take stringent action against anyone violating the law.Ends.