'If Kerala's beverage outlets are shut, spurious liquor will spurt'

PWD minister G Sudhakaran has criticised the Supreme Court order to close down liquor outlets and beer parlours along highways and stated that the consumption of spurious liquor would thrive in the state if unadulterated alcohol becomes unavailable.

“If you try to stop tipplers from drinking, it will result in the spurt of spurious liquor in the state. Let unadulterated liquor be sold at Bevco outlets as per rules, or else you would end up making more Manichans and Thathas,” the minister said while addressing a public gathering in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Hairunnisa alias Thatha and Chandradas alias Manichan, were the prime accused in the infamous Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy case that claimed 31 lives in Kollam district in 2000.

Also read: Cherthala-TVM stretch is national highway: Sudhakaran

"The Supreme Court order to close down all bars on highways should be revised. The people in the state should not be denied constitutional rights and the sale of liquor should be allowed as per rules. Banning liquor completely is not the government's policy. The SC should review its order," Sudhakaran stressed.

Pointing out that the current situation has not benefited the government in any manner, Sudhakaran said that CPM is a party that has always been against the consumption of alcohol. 

Also read: Relief for Kerala tipplers: Bars on highways to reopen?

"There has been instances of the party rebuking or taking action against even senior members who consume alcohol. In fact the government is planning to implement a project aimed at ending alcohol addiction," the minister added.

• G Sudhakaran
• liquor policy
• national highway
• supreme court