Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has moved to let more liquor manufacturing units in the state. Applications for two new units are under consideration, and the excise department has supported it. A final decision will be taken only after the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) leadership discusses it.
The government had on June 12 permitted the Sreedharan Breweries Private Limited to set up a brewery at Varam in Kannur district. It will have a capacity of five lakh cases of beer per month. The government order said the brewery is being granted because 40% of the beer consumed in the state comes from outside.
A top excise official told Manorama Online that applications have been received for two new liquor production units and that they are under consideration.
The LDF, as part of its liquor policy, had issued fresh bar licences to 282 outlets that had been converted to beer-wine parlours by the previous government.
Data shows that the government's revenue keeps on soaring every year from liquor sales. In 2014-15 it was Rs 8,277 crore, while in 2017-18 it skyrocketed to Rs 11,204 crore.
The state government, which promotes liquor production, had allowed Rs 5 crore for the Vimukthi programme which focuses on prompting people to quit liquor.
The government hasn't changed its decision to allow more liquor units though organisations supporting the 'quit liquor' policy have pointed out that selling liquor and promoting abstention is contradictory. It has decided to acquire 40 acre at the Kerala State Industrial Estate to set up a de-addiction centre under Vimukthi, on the model of the Nimhans, Bengaluru.