We need to take problems in our stride, march on: Oommen Chandy
Chief Minister speaks about closure of bars and making Kerala Dry state
By : Gilvester Assary
Update: 2014-08-24 05:34 GMT
If converting a challenge into an opportunity is the art of politics, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has proved he is the quintessential politician. By daring the CM to reopen the 418 “substandard” bars, PCC president V M Sudheeran had foreclosed all options. But when Chandy read out from a paper the decision to make Kerala dry, it was a big bang, fraught with long-term repercussions.
Were you sceptical initially? What prompted you to take the decision finally?
To be frank even I had my own doubts about the practicability of closing down all bars and also shutting down beverages outlets. Though phased prohibition is Congress’ well-stated policy, the big question was whether to bring it today or tomorrow. The tipping point came when Muslim League and Kerala Congress took a firm stand along with other constituents. Karunakaran stopped sub-arrack shops, Antony brought arrack ban and in my tenure the process of phased prohibition has begun. This reflects UDF’s commitment.
Justice Markandey Katju and noted director Adoor Gopalakrishnan have slammed your government’s decision saying it is impractical?
All decisions may not be practical. We have to overcome hurdles that come our way. You cannot sit back and say that you can’t implement difficult decisions just because they are impractical.
Prohibition leads to many problems like illicit brewing, smuggling and even hooch tragedy? Isn’t it a costly gamble?
Strict enforcement and an uncompromising attitude are needed. Police, Excise and other enforcement agencies will have to pull up their socks. We need to take these problems in our stride and march ahead with conviction. Our abkari policy is not casual, but pucca.