Fortified wine distribution: Kerala Govt to cancel bakery license, transfer Abkari Dy Commissioner
Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF government in Kerala is set to review the previous administration's decision permitting the sale of high-potency fortified wine through bakeries and supermarkets.
As part of immediate action, the government has decided to cancel the sales license of Vijayalakshmi Bakery in Chalakudy, which had commenced distributing fortified wine.
In addition, Abkari Deputy Commissioner C K Anil Kumar is to be transferred from his post for failing to inform the Excise Commissioner about the matter. The government will also urgently seek legal advice to completely repeal the rule amendment that allowed wine sales through bakeries.
Excise Minister M Liju clarified that he learned about the distribution of fortified wine through bakeries via media reports and immediately sought an urgent report from the Excise Commissioner. The order in question was issued within two days of the new Excise Commissioner, Sriram Sambasiva Rao, assuming charge.
The Minister stated that making high-potency wine containing 15% to 20% alcohol available in bakeries and supermarkets is harmful to society and does not align with the policy of the current government or the UDF. Chief Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with such a policy decision being taken at the bureaucratic level without informing the government or the minister.
The amendment to the Abkari Act allowing the sale of fortified wine was introduced in January 2024 during the second Pinarayi Vijayan government. Former Excise Minister M B Rajesh stated that the decision was taken at the request of farmers to permit the production and marketing of Hortiwine. Following this, applications for licenses were invited in November 2024, with four establishments, including the Chalakudy bakery, applying, and licenses were subsequently granted in June.
The issue came to light recently when sales commenced at the Chalakudy bakery, prompting immediate government intervention.