Govt plans to withdraw dry day; Production of many including spiced wine under consideration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is planning to withdraw dry day, a ban on alcohol on the first day of every month. The reason behind the plan is to increase the revenue of the government. The government is also considering proposals such as auctioning beverage outlets and promoting micro wineries. It is heard that the matter was discussed in a meeting of the department secretaries chaired by the chief secretary.

It was evaluated in the meeting that observing dry day for 12 days in a year will affect the tourism sector and will result in exclusion of Kerala from national and international conferences. The tourism department was directed to discuss the matter with the concerned parties and submit a report. The Secretary of Tourism has been appointed for this purpose.

Other things discussed

• Encourage micro wineries
• Explore the possibilities of producing spiced wines. The secretary of the department of agriculture has been entrusted for it
• Promote the production of Horti wine
• Encourage alcohol products used in sweets, cakes etc
• Revise regulations related to labeling of alcohol for export based on national and international regulations
• Check out the possibilities of auctioning off the operation of retail liquor stores