Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government sought to distance itself from a public naming contest announced by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) for a new brandy to be produced at its revived distillery in Palakkad district, amid strong opposition from a Catholic Church-backed anti-liquor committee.

Excise Minister M B Rajesh, on Wednesday, said the government had no role in launching the contest, clarifying that the advertisement inviting the public to suggest a name and logo for the brandy was issued independently by BEVCO, which operates as a corporate entity.

“The government's role was only in bringing back a closed unit. The naming contest is BEVCO's decision,” Rajesh told PTI.

The minister said the revival of the Chittur distillery in Palakkad was a commitment made by the ruling LDF in its election manifesto and that the unit is expected to become operational by February 2026. He said the project would create employment opportunities in the region.

Rajesh also alleged that the Congress-led UDF Opposition had earlier demanded the revival of the Chittoor unit, even while staging protests against the government’s decision to allow a liquor manufacturing unit at Elappully.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) Temperance Commission strongly criticised the naming contest, describing it as a form of surrogate liquor advertising and an alleged violation of excise norms.

The commission urged the state government to intervene and withdraw the initiative, warning that such campaigns could encourage alcohol consumption and send an adverse message, particularly to children and young people.

The proposed brandy is to be manufactured at BEVCO’s Palakkad distillery as part of Kerala’s broader strategy to increase in-house liquor production, reduce dependence on supplies from outside the state, and boost revenue. However, the church-backed body argued that revenue generation should not override social responsibility.

PTI