'Not yet ready for complete liquor ban, low-alcohol beverages first step to reduce impact'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K Muraleedharan said that a final decision on the liquor tax can be taken only after discussions with the UDF and its allies. The minister downplayed chances of a complete ban on liquor in Kerala, calling it a senseless move. The minister warned that if liquor is banned instantly, there remained chances of people preferring unadulterated drinks to satiate their needs, which may end up in a tragedy.

"If we want to implement a complete prohibition of alcohol, a conducive environment is needed, and we should convince people. The first step is bringing it down to low-alcohol beverages. There are still drunkards in society. It is our responsibility to ensure that they drink proper liquor and not adulterated, toxic drinks. That is why K Karunakaran started BEVCO. K Karunakaran never consumed alcohol. The number of bars was reduced during Oommen Chandy's tenure. However, the number increased in the last ten years during LDF rule. Serving low-strength alcohol is to reduce the impact. KPCC should decide on VM Sudheeran's public response," said Muraleedharan.

Sudheeran made a public statement on Thursday regarding the reduction of liquor taxes. The decision to reduce tax on low-strength liquor should have been discussed in the party and the UDF before the proposal was presented in the assembly, opined Sudheeran.