K S Jawahar says beer is good, slammed

Vijayawada: Andhra excise minister K.S. Jawahar’s statement that beer is good for health has drawn criticism. The minister has been endorsing beer as a health drink and this has angered Opposition parties, women’s organisations and anti-liquor groups who condemned his statement vehemently.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his dissatisfaction over the statement stating that it damaged the government’s image. The minister, who was discussing the new state excise policy with the media, said the government would take steps to promote beer because it was a healthy beverage on the lines of toddy. “However, hard liquor consumption should be curbed,” he said. When asked about how he would showcase beer as a health drink, the minister said, “Come to me, and I will prove that beer is healthy. How can I prove it right here?”