The new abkari policy represents a complete reversal of the hardline stand of the erstwhile United Democratic Front (UDF) Government’s policy, which had caused a big loss to the state exchequer besides badly affecting the state’s flourishing tourism industry.

The new policy, which would come into effect from July 1, allows three-star and four-star hotels to serve Indian Made Foreign Liquor(IMFL) category of drinks. At present only five-star hotels can serve liquor. As many as 71 four-star hotels and 62 three-star hotels, which now have only FL- II licences allowing to serve only wine and beer, are the immediate beneficiaries of the new decision. Another significant feature is the decision to hike the age limit for buying liquor from 21 to 23 years. Moreover, owners of bars and liquor outlets within 500 meters of national highways have been allowed to relocate to another location in the same taluk. The government has also decided to end the UDF policy of closing 10 per cent of Beverage Corporation outlets every year.

Last but not the least, star hotels would now be allowed to sell quality toddy. And liquor would now be available in domestic lounges of airports. Bars would, hereafter, remain open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in towns and cities but in tourism centres, they would be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Understandably, the opposition UDF and the BJP have vehemently criticised the new policy. The UDF has already signalled its intent to up the ante by launching an agitation against from July 1.

In other words, the political mercury is set to soar with the Opposition taking a hardline position on the issue. The opposition is likely to join hands with the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) and other anti-liquor organizations which have frowned upon the new liberalized policy.

It is also set to incur the wrath of women who have not taken kindly to the policy dilution on the part of the LDF Government. Women’s opposition has cut across the political spectrum with the women’s wing of the CPI, a major constituent of the ruling LDF, itself deciding to oppose the new policy. The combined opposition could prove politically and electorally costly for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Government.

The silver lining, if it can be called one, is that the policy has been supported by the powerful organization of the Ezhava community, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). SNDP boss Vellappally Natesan has hailed it as a bold and realistic policy, adding that prohibition has never been successful anywhere in the country. In a surprise move, Shibu John, a minister in the UDF Government and leader of the Revolutionary Soclialist Party (RSP), an ally of the Congress in the UDF, has backed the new policy, too. The UDF’s liquor policy had led to the front’s defeat in the assembly polls, John felt. Even senior Congress leaders like K. Muralidharan, a former KPCC chief, have welcomed the LDF Government’s realistic liquor policy.

The Pinarayi Government, is, however, confident of overcoming the stiff resistance to the liberalized liquor policy. The gains to the exchequer and the revival of the tourism industry would undo the damage that could be inflicted by the new policy, the government calculates.

The UDF’s liquor policy was a total failure. Prohibition is no solution to the evil of alcoholism. We believe in abstinence. That is the burden of the Chief Minister's song. (IPA Service)