The state government has introduced the liquor policy for the new financial year with some welcome changes. People expect an insightful liquor policy as alcohol and alcohol consumption, which play a major role in tax revenue, have become an unavoidable reality in public life. The government has decided to open more retail outlets to avoid the congestion seen today in liquor stores. This is a decision that should have been implemented long back. The sight of the long queue of people waiting to buy alcohol is very humiliating. However, Bevco was not making any effort to get rid of these long queues. It seems to care only about the money. A small portion of the profits made in a year is enough to give the outlets a human face. In any case, the decision to open more premium counters across the state is welcome.

The new liquor policy also includes a decision to allow pubs and wine parlours to operate in IT parks with special licenses. This too was under consideration for a long time. The reform is part of a move to make the state investor-friendly. Although the state is leading in alcohol consumption, the brewery sector has not grown at all here. The main reason is the strictness with which breweries are allowed. Ninety per cent of the liquor consumed in the state comes from other states. The exchanges behind the multi-billion dollar liquor imports are no secret.

If the decision to allow the production of low-content alcohol liquors using fruits such as cashews, jackfruits, bananas and pineapples reaches the desired aim, it will be a new step. At present, all of these natural resources get largely wasted during the season. Jackfruit and pineapple are being sold for cheap rates. Low-content alcohol can repel people, albeit slightly, from strong alcohol consumption. Only that its availability should be universally guaranteed. Many people opt for high-content alcohol as they can't afford the high prices of things like beer.

Excessive taxes on alcohol are driving many to pursue cheaper drugs. The biggest social disaster facing the state today is the huge increase in drug use.

The government's decision not to increase the bar license fee this time is appropriate. Bar operators often tend to seek crooked ways because of license fees, operating costs and other expenses.

The government should realize that raising taxes on alcohol uncontrollably will have the opposite effect. Consumers are expected to buy alcohol no matter how high the price. We need to think about its social impact.