Thiruvananthapuram, 25 June (H.S.):
Senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran has strongly opposed the Kerala government's proposal to reduce excise duty on low-alcohol beverages, urging Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan-led government to withdraw the measure in view of growing public concern.
Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Sudheeran said the proposal should never have been included in the Budget without prior discussions within the Congress party and the United Democratic Front (UDF). He said that if the issue had been deliberated at the party and coalition levels beforehand, the present controversy could have been avoided.
Reiterating the UDF's long-standing stand against the spread of alcohol and substance abuse, Sudheeran said the government's responsibility was to curb addiction rather than introduce measures that could be perceived as encouraging liquor consumption. He praised the Home Department for its efforts to combat narcotics and commended the Home Minister for the ongoing anti-drug campaign. However, he stressed that the Excise Department also had an equal responsibility in tackling alcohol-related issues.
There can be no fight against drugs while ignoring alcohol. Alcohol and narcotic substances belong to the same category of social evils and must be addressed together, he said.
Sudheeran also blamed the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for the sharp expansion of liquor outlets in the state, alleging that the number of bars had increased dramatically during its tenure. He demanded that the government disclose the current number of licensed bars in Kerala and formulate a comprehensive liquor policy after detailed consultations within both the Congress and the UDF.
He further argued that reducing liquor taxes would primarily benefit liquor manufacturers rather than the public. With concerns over the proposal continuing to mount, Sudheeran urged the government to drop the tax reduction provisions when the Finance Bill is taken up.
Calling for transparency in governance, he said every major policy decision should be openly discussed with the public and implemented without any backdoor measures, ensuring that the credibility of the government remains intact.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman