Finally, Kerala CPI (M) has confirmed that the LDF will reformulate Kerala liquor police if they get elected in the assembly elections.
CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Saturday told media at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram that the LDF will use the Udayabhanu Commission report to form new liquor policy if the front comes to power.
“The stance of the CPM and Left parties is that abstinence is the ideal option to curb alcoholism, not prohibition. Everybody knows that prohibition is not practical. We have Attapadi range as a glowing example. Though liquor is legally banned, all types of alcohol are available here. Isn't Oommen Chandy the CM of Attappadi too?” Kodiyeri asked, The Times of India reports.
It was in 1982-1987 during K Karunankaran’s government a commission under the leadership of freedom fighter AP Udayabhanu was constituted to study about impacts of liquor prohibition in Kerala. The commission had advised to promote light liquor and achieve the goal slowly.
The commission advised the government not to be over-enthusiastic about imposing prohibition. “Rome was not built in a day. Restlessness should not lead us to go overboard and spoil our goal that can be achieved in future,” the report said.
Kodiyeri further said that toddy industry will be promoted as an alternative. “The toddy tapping industry will be at the centre of the policy and we will try to revive it“, he said.