Thiruvananthapuram: The cabinet has given its approval for the new liquor policy for the state.  Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh said that government would pursue the production and marketing of liquor with low-alcohol content made from locally available fruits. He stated that the necessary measures would be implemented to update current regulations to make them viable.

All toddy shops in the state will have a standardised design. The toddy sold there will be branded as 'Kerala Toddy'. Additionally, licenses would be granted to restaurants in popular tourist destinations to sell wine and beer during the tourism season.

"The state currently permits 559 foreign liquor retail shops to operate. However, only 309 of them are operational. Will take measures to ensure that the remaining facilities are also operational," the minister said. 

"Hotels that have not yet received their classification and are not facing any legal issues will be granted a temporary bar license until they undergo examination by the classification committee. If the classification committee refuses to grant permission, then the license would be revoked," he noted.

Meanwhile, the minister said that process is undergoing to amend the existing rules to permit the sale of liquor in pubs at IT and industrial parks. Further, the revamped liquor policy also entertains the export of liquor manufactured in the country. 

At the same time, the state has decided to increase the bar licence fee from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakhs. The fees for serving liquor at clubs like Seemen and Marine Officers are also increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakhs. By the end of the year, Bevco outlets will fully implement QR codes on their liquor bottles. 'Track and Trace facility will be adopted to monitor the movement of freshly-tapped liquor from one district to another. 

The minister emphasized the need to enhance the campaign against drug use.