Thiruvananthapuram: Liquor has always been a contentious issue in Kerala, with several NGOs and the Catholic Church vehemently opposing the spread of a “liquor culture” in the state.
However, the state government has a monopoly on selling liquor in the state and liquor sales contribute a considerable chunk of the state government’s sales tax earnings.
The state’s liquor policy has now driven a wedge among members of the ruling Congress party, with senior leaders openly contesting each other’s views.
Placed on two sides of the liquor divide are no less than chief minister Oommen Chandy and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, V.M. Sudheeran. They disagree over whether or not to grant temporary licences to 418 bars that have been ordered shut.
In the latest development, state excise minister K. Babu, who oversees the portfolio of liquor sales, criticised Sudheeran’s stand, stating that “individual opinion cannot be imposed on a group”.
Babu’s statement is seen as being targeted at the KPCC president who is against the idea of granting temporary licences to 418 liquor bars in the state that were closed three weeks ago for failure to meet mandatory quality standards.
“In a party that permits intraparty democracy it is natural that different opinions crop up. A consensus on the issue will be found”, Babu said.
The excise minister’s statement is seen as supportive of the chief minister’s position that the 418 bars should be granted temporary licences.
Two meetings of the KPCC-state government’s coordination committee have failed to find an amicable solution to the bar licence issue.
Other Congress leaders seen to be opposing Sudheeran’s position include home minister Ramesh Chennithala, and KPCC vice president, V.D. Satheesan.
Sudheeran, however, has stood his ground that no licences should be granted to the 418 bars until they raise their facilities to the mandated level.
Chandy was particularly peeved because the liquor licence imbroglio may adversely affect the government’s image.
“Those who are in favour of giving temporary licences to the 418 bars would be seen as favouring the liquor lobby,” Chandy said. Among those supporting the chief minister was former KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan. The coordination committee will meet next on April 29.
In 2012-13, the state government earned Rs72.41 billion (Dh4.3 billion) by way of sales tax, excise duty, licence fee, etc. The amount represents a 100 per cent growth from the Rs36.21 billion earned four years ago in 2008-09.