Thiruvananthapuram, June 26: Political tensions are rising in Kerala over the proposal to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages. On Friday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) defended the previous government’s alcohol policy, while religious leaders urged caution and recommended thorough discussions before making any decisions.
M.V. Govindan, the state secretary of CPI(M), addressed the media in New Delhi, stating that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s policy was never intended to promote multinational alcohol companies. He emphasized that the government aimed to enhance farmers’ incomes by developing value-added products from agricultural products.
Govindan explained that during his tenure as Excise Minister, the concept of producing low-alcohol beverages from cashews, apples, and other agricultural products was included in the policy. This policy was formulated after extensive discussions.
He noted that after the policy was established, companies like Bacardi approached the government for distribution rights. Govindan asserted that the government’s focus was on promoting beverages made from local agricultural products, not on selling branded products from multinational corporations.
He accused the opposition of deliberately creating confusion by linking production and tax policies. According to him, the previous government’s policy was related to agriculture-based production, while the current controversy revolves around proposed changes to the tax structure for low-alcohol beverages.
Govindan clarified that he was not the Excise Minister when this matter was referred to the Assembly’s subject committee in January 2022, and no action was taken on this file during his term.
Criticizing the current government, Govindan remarked that it was unusual for this file to reach the Chief Minister just three days after the new government was formed. He also alleged that the proposal was included in the budget without consulting coalition partners and the opposition.
Religious leaders have also responded to the controversy. Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, president of the Samastha (EK group), stated that all forms of alcohol are prohibited in Islam. However, he acknowledged that creating an alcohol policy is the right of an elected government, and the government cannot be expected to base its policy solely on Muslim religious principles.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Mar Joseph Pampalany of Thalassery welcomed Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s decision to hold extensive discussions on the issue. He emphasized that any alcohol-related policy should not convey a message that promotes intoxication, stressing the need for social responsibility and caution.
As the government is expected to make a final decision after consulting with coalition partners, political debates regarding Kerala’s new alcohol policy are likely to intensify in the coming days.
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