Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran has said the State government led by Oommen Chandy is committed to and working towards a total ban on liquor in a staggered manner.
Speaking here after receiving the maiden award instituted by Kerala Latin Catholic Association in the name of nationalist and anti-liquor activist K.J. Berly here on Wednesday, Mr. Sudheeran said liquor consumption witnessed a fall after the closure of 418 bars, which also resulted in a healthy social environment with a fall in crime rate against women and children, accidents, and incidence of domestic violence. He attributed this to the State’s liquor policy and measures adopted by the government.
Mr. Sudheeran said it was encouraging that the political establishment gave serious attention to the social ills emanating from liquor use and abuse.
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Later, talking to the media, he said it was natural that there were differences of opinion on the issue of abstention from liquor and prohibition. “However, it is great that this has become a topic of heated discussion at all levels in society.” It was satisfying to catalyse such a change in societal perception of liquor consumption, he said, adding that his stance was not motivated by political interest or factional skirmishes.