India’s Kerala backtracks on prohibition plans

Lawmakers in the Indian state of Kerala have partially backtracked on plans to enforce prohibition amid health and economic fears.

Kerala, the state which consumes the most alcohol in India, has watered-down its plans to enforce prohibition

The ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol was proposed by Kerala’s United Demographic Front (UDF) in order to tackle the state’s drinking problem, which has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the country at 8.3 litres.

The national annual average for alcohol consumption is estimated to be about 5.7 litres per person.

As a result, nearly 700 bars and shops have been earmarked for closure in a move towards total prohibition within 10 years time. More than 400 bars have already been closed under the policy, which permits only luxury hotels to sell alcohol, and banned the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

However, last Thursday (18 December) chief minister Oommen Chandy said the government would be diluting its plans, lifting the ban on Sunday sales and offering a license to hotels to sell wine and beer, but not spirits.

Chandy cited fears for Kerala’s economy – which gains 20% of its revenues from alcohol sales – and the loss of jobs in the state as reasons for the policy turnaround.

He added that since the policy was implemented, 10 hotel and bar workers have committed suicide. Chandy stressed that the government would still endeavor to reduce overall consumption in the state.

Currently, 312 more bars are set to close at the end of January pending disposal of appeals against the new liquor policy.

Kerala’s High Court upheld UDF’s proposals in October this year, however hoteliers, bar owners and spirits producers hit out at the decision, and are fighting the policy in court, citing concerns over the affect it would have on businesses and tourism.