Sales of a potent hard wine containing up to 15 percent alcohol began at the famous M.R.C bakery in Chalakudy, Kerala. News of this, which was released yesterday, caused an uproar among social activists. Opposition arose that making alcohol-mixed potent hard wine easily available in bakeries would lead the younger generation down the wrong path. This created a crisis for the ruling Congress-led coalition government. Minister M. Liju has immediately banned the excise department’s order permitting the sale of 15% strength wine through commercial establishments including bakeries. Although it was a government holiday, emergency action was taken in this matter yesterday and an order was issued to halt the sales. In addition, Excise Department Deputy Commissioner C.K. Anilkumar, who had approved this license, was abruptly removed from that responsibility, and the additional charge has been handed over to Bevco headquarters Deputy Commissioner V. Subash.

Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha regarding this incident, Excise Minister M. Liju said, "The sale of potent hard wine through bakeries was not done with the government's approval. Based on the amendments brought in by the previous Left government, the Excise Commissioner took this decision on his own. As the minister in charge of the department, I cannot in any way accept that such a controversial order was issued without even my knowledge. The Deputy Excise Commissioner who issued this order has been transferred. I have also ordered that the wine sales license be revoked immediately. Selling wine easily through bakeries and general stores will have very serious negative effects on our society."
Intensive consultations are currently underway regarding the state government’s new liquor policy. Whether the legal amendments made by the previous government should be revised will be decided in this new liquor policy. However, there is no chance that our government’s liquor policy will permit the sale of wine through bakeries. It is not the policy of the UDF alliance to make it easy to sell liquor in essential shops in this manner. Officials say they have taken this decision based on the amendments brought to the legal provisions by the previous LDF government. But our government has not yet finalized its policy decision. Officials should not independently implement the policies of the previous government. When making policy decisions of such importance, they should have decided only after discussing in detail with the department minister and informing him,
