Kerala Government Beer parlour move irks anti-liquor front activists

Thiruvananthapuram: The government move to allow beer parlours and wine shops despite its phased prohibition policy has invited sharp criticism from anti-liquor activists. The activists say phased prohibition will become meaningless if beer parlours and wine shops are allowed to function. They also fear that these outlets would turn into hubs of clandestine IMFL sale in no time as the liquor mafia was waiting for such an opportunity.  

Though the government has said that the request for converting existing bars into beer parlours would not be entertained, Excise Minister K. Babu’s statement that licence fee for beer parlours would be raised from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh has created serious doubts among prohibitionists. “We will oppose tooth and nail any decision to open new beer or wine parlours in the state.

As per the government’s own phased prohibition policy, not a single liquor shop would be opened henceforth. Beer contains alcohol ranging from five  per cent to over 10 per cent. You cannot have prohibition on one side and sale of beer or wine on the other,’’ said Fr T.J. Antony, secretary, Temperance Commission, Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KCBC).

Will it be possible for the excise department to check each glass of beer or wine sold in such parlours? he asked. At present,  the state has about 120 beer and wine parlours run by private parties and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Though the government had tried to allow new beer parlours in the past, it was forced to abandon the move because of huge opposition from a section of people.

When contacted, Excise Minister Babu told DC that the issue pertaining to beer parlours and wine parlours had not been discussed as part of the new abkari policy.  “The matter has not been taken up yet,’’ he said.

When asked about the apprehensions that most owners of the shut bars would convert their existing bars into beer parlours, he said there was no question of allowing such conversions. However, anti-liquor front activists are not ready to believe the minister’s assurance. “We will keep a close watch on each step being taken by the government. We will make the government walk the talk,’’ said Fr Antony.