The measures announced in the new liquor policy are aimed at total prohibition in the State by October 2, 2023, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
“This is a beginning and the State should equip itself for total prohibition in the next 10 years,” Mr. Chandy said at a press conference here on Friday. “A change of government will not affect the move in any way. You cannot oppose a policy accepted by society,” he said.
The main feature of the policy recommended by the UDF high-power committee and approved by the government was the rehabilitation of bar workers who would be rendered jobless. The ban on arrack introduced in 1996 and still effective did not succeed as the rehabilitation component was not there, he pointed out. Pointing out that he was involved in the demand for prohibition in the mid-1980s, the Chief Minister said he thought the time was ripe for step-by-step prohibition now as the UDF constituents had supported it and the demand came from various sections of society.
The Chief Minister said the action taken by the UDF on Thursday and the approval given to the policy on Friday was the answer to Leader of the Opposition V. S. Achuthanandan’s remark that it was a political gimmick.
