Thrissur, 18 Oct (H.S.): The Kerala government has decided to urgently cancel a Chalakudy bakery’s licence to sell hortiwine containing up to 15 per cent alcohol, following a controversy over allowing alcoholic beverages to be sold through bakeries.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan issued instructions to revoke the permission granted to MCR Bakery after discussions with Excise Minister M. Liju. The government also decided to remove the Excise Deputy Commissioner concerned from the assignment and recommend action for granting the licence without the knowledge of either the Chief Minister or the minister.

Liju has directed that legal advice be sought through the Taxes Secretary on cancelling the licence. He has also sought an urgent report from the Excise Commissioner, with further action to follow once it is officially received.

The government maintains that permitting beverages containing up to 15 per cent alcohol to be sold alongside soft drinks in ordinary bakeries is unacceptable.

The controversy has also prompted a review of the legal provisions introduced during the previous Left Democratic Front government’s tenure to facilitate hortiwine sales.

According to the government, an amendment to the Abkari law dated January 24, 2024, provided for the sale of hortiwine through supermarkets, shopping malls and bakeries with a minimum floor area of 100 square metres.

The Chalakudy bakery applied for a licence in November 2025. However, permission was not granted during the previous government’s tenure.

The licence was subsequently issued at the official level on June 21, after the present government assumed office. Wine intended for sale was then supplied to the bakery from a Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlet.

The permission involved an 86 per cent tax structure.

Liju has ordered a review of the earlier amendment as the government examines how the licence was issued and determines the administrative and legal steps required to revoke it.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman