Kerala gives green light to anti-alcohol law

Lawmakers in the southern Indian state of Kerala have ratified a new anti-liquor policy that will see hundreds of bars shut down next month.

Kerala’s cabinet has in part ratified a proposed anti-liquor policy in the state

It was revealed last week that Indian officials in Kerala – the country’s largest alcohol-consuming state – had proposed an outright ban on the sale of alcohol in a bid to tackle the region’s apparent drink problem.

The state’s ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) government proposed to phase in total prohibition in the state within 10 years.

However, according to The New Indian Express, the Kerala cabinet has deferred a decision on issues related to licenses for beer and wine parlours as well as high-end establishments that serve alcohol.

The ratified policy will now see 730 bars close across the state, while 312 bars attached to hotels below the five-star category have been ordered to close by 12 September 2014.

New Indian Express also reports that the government has decided not to renew the licenses of 418 bars that have remained shut since April this year.

Kerala has India’s highest per capita consumption of any other in the country at 8.3 litres.

Prohibition already exists in the Indian states of Gujarat, Mizoram, and Nagaland, parts of Manipur, and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.