Liquor in glass bottles; Kerala govt mulls emulating Tamil Nadu model

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is contemplating moves to sell liquor in glass bottles. This comes in the backdrop of the High Court banning plastic bottles at weddings, hotels and 10 tourist destinations in the hilly region. There is also a plan to emulate the Tamil Nadu model of collecting back empty bottles through outlets.

A meeting was held in the excise department for this on Friday. Despite trying many times, all efforts to implement a ban on liquor sales in plastic bottles hitherto, ended up futile in Kerala. It could not be fully implemented due to opposition from liquor companies.

BEVCO CMD had earlier submitted a plan document to the government to collect plastic bottles through the Haritha Kerala Mission. In 2017, it was decided to collect plastic liquor bottles through the Clean Kerala Company, but the plan did not succeed. In Tamil Nadu, when a quarter bottle is returned, the consumer will get a reduction of Rs 10 in the liquor bill. Liquor companies had informed the government that it would cost Rs 9 to put a full bottle of liquor in a plastic bottle and Rs 38 to put it in a glass bottle. The financial concerns will be alleviated if people return the bottles.

In Tamil Nadu and other states, up to a quarter (180 ml) of liquor is sold in glass bottles, whereas in Kerala, even higher quality liquor is being sold in plastic bottles. Quarter and pint (360) bottles are not available in Bevco at present. Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh informed that a preliminary meeting was held as part of the steps to completely switch liquor marketing to glass bottles.