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Tag / kerala alcohol ban
April 4, 2017

Chaos Sets in Kerala as Liquor Shops Near Highways Shut Down

Two years ago in 2015, when the Kerala State Government decided to shut down close to 730 bars, there was an uproar from bar owners and workers saying their livelihood will be affected. Now when the State is on the brink of a total alcohol ban due to shops near highways being shut, the State is raising a hue and cry stating that its coffers will be affected. Either way, people who are addicted to alcohol will not only be facing a problem but might go to any lengths to satisfy their addiction. Also, numerous shop owners might lose their only source of income.

This decision by the Supreme Court is being met by heavy criticism. The Supreme Court is however justifying the act by stating various statistics related to accidents on the highway due to alcohol abuse. In 2014 alone, 7307 accident cases involving driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol resulting in 7398 injuries and 2591 deaths, were registered.

The National Road Safety Council (NRSC), an apex body for road safety, had recommended in 2004 itself that licences for liquor shops along highways should be retracted. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways [MoRTH] has been consistently advising State Governments to retract licenses of liquor shops near the highways.

Law, Politics
By Sumitra Nair
February 14, 2017

Is Total Ban on Alcohol in Kerala a Solution?

Alcohol abuse and alcohol ban problem in Kerala is an age-old sore spot. But none had been as severe as the UDF’s government’s decision to shut down nearly 730 bars on 31st May 2015. Liquor licenses were granted only to five star hotels and bars that have been following code of conduct were turned into beer and wine parlours.

The state has been reeling under the effect of this decision ever since with people queuing up outside licensed beverage stores for their daily bottle. Adults and school students alike, began misusing cough syrups for a high, which called for inspections at medical stores by Excise Department and Drugs Control Department in January this year. Also, according to reports, drug abuse among school children have increased.

In a recent development, Kerala Government has urged the Supreme Court on not to consider toddy, beer and wine as liquor. The Supreme Court had earlier passed an order to shut liquor shops on national and state highways, Kerala Government sought a clarification on whether beer and wine parlours and toddy shops will be included in the ban order.

Health, Politics, Uncategorized
By The Kochi Post Staff