Kerala: 'Overjoyed' locals throng bars after LDF's new policy re-opens 77 outlets

July 02, 2017 18:22

In a 'triumphant' day for the locals who relish the occasional peg or two, as many as 77 bars were reopened across the state after the liquor policy was renewed by the government led by the Left Democratic Front.

As of Saturday, 81 liquor bars submitted applications to the excise department, out which 77 were reopened today. Out of these, the maximum bars were Ernakulam-based, while Idukki had the least number.

The government is also proposing to open local toddy shops that were earlier sealed.

Elated customers, who rushed into bars to commemorate the new policy, said it was better to drink in bars than at home in front of their families.

In the recent past, a consolidated report on liquor consumption patterns in India showed that Kerala ranks highest in the list of alcohol consumption in India, so much so that the liquor ban forced people to cross state borders to fulfill their intoxication requirements!

The previous Congress-led United Democratic Front government in 2014 banned the sale of Indian Made Foreign liquor, except in five star hotels, which led to the closure of over 700 liquor bars below the five star category across the state. Eventually, some of them were suggested to be re-instated as beer and wine parlors.

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