Thiruvananthapuram, 20 June (H.S) : Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday strongly criticised the Kerala government’s proposal to reduce taxes on certain categories of liquor, describing the move as “highly suspicious” and alleging that it appears to serve the commercial interests of liquor companies rather than the welfare of society.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan questioned the rationale behind the tax concession announced in the UDF government’s Budget and warned that it could lead to a significant increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among the youth.

Under the current tax structure, liquor produced from spirit attracts a tax of 251 per cent in Kerala. However, the Budget proposes reducing the tax on beverages containing up to 10 per cent alcohol content to 120 per cent, effectively cutting the levy by more than half. The government has argued that the concession applies only to low-alcohol beverages.

Vijayan said successive governments had traditionally imposed high taxes on liquor not only to generate revenue but also to discourage consumption. He noted that this was the first time such a substantial reduction in liquor taxation had been proposed, warning that making alcohol significantly cheaper would inevitably increase its consumption.

“Even if the government argues that the concession is limited to low-alcohol beverages, the result will still be a sharp rise in alcohol use. It could become a gateway that encourages consumers to gradually move from low-alcohol drinks to stronger forms of liquor,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also questioned why the government had chosen to provide tax relief only for alcohol while failing to announce similar measures to ease the financial burden on ordinary people facing various economic challenges.

“Is reducing the price of liquor the government’s priority? What benefit will society gain from such a decision other than long-term social consequences?” he asked.

Vijayan pointed out that even minor changes to Kerala’s excise policy had sparked controversies in the past, with religious organisations, community groups, the Indian Union Muslim League and anti-liquor movements repeatedly expressing concerns about rising alcohol consumption.

Calling for a united response beyond political affiliations, he urged all sections of society to oppose policies that could encourage greater alcohol use and expose future generations to addiction and substance abuse.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman