THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister MB Rajesh said that the allegation that the government is ruling the state by selling liquor and lottery is untrue. He was replying during the debate on the Abkari Law Amendment Bill in the Assembly.

"The Udayabhanu Commission report calls for abstinence from alcohol. That is what the government is doing. During the UDF government, 18.1 percent of the revenue income was due to excise, but during the first Pinarayi government, it came down to 14.5 percent. In Kerala, there is one beverages outlet for every one lakh people. In Karnataka, there is one outlet for 17,000 people. In Tamil Nadu, there is one outlet for every 13,000 people. With the new liquor policy, the state will get quality liquor and toddy. Toddyboard will be formed soon," the minister said.