Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition CPM-led LDF on Tuesday created a ruckus in the Kerala Assembly and staged a walkout after the Speaker denied permission to their adjournment notice. The opposition sought to discuss the government's decision to drastically reduce the tax on low-alcohol-content liquor.

The state budget recently announced a massive reduction in taxes on low-alcohol beverages, slashing it from 251 per cent to 120 per cent. This move has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters over the past week.


Allegations of favouritism and youth exploitation

Raising the issue in the House, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the 131 per cent tax cut was explicitly designed to benefit a private company in Karnataka called 'Bacardi'.

"Otherwise, what is the need for such a huge tax cut? This will lead to low-alcohol-content liquor being as easily available as soft drinks in the state. This will increase alcohol consumption among the youth," Vijayan claimed.

Moving the adjournment motion, senior CPM leader K N Balagopal echoed these concerns, alleging that the policy was a deliberate move to flood Kerala with easily accessible liquor. The Opposition has previously warned that this fiscal tweak could pave the way for high-level corruption.


Speaker disallows motion amid budget debates

Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan denied permission to the notice, explaining that since the ongoing budget discussions must be wrapped up by Wednesday, the Opposition would have ample opportunity to highlight their grievances during that time. He cited past parliamentary rulings where similar adjournment notices were denied during active budget sessions.

Dissatisfied with the Speaker's ruling, a majority of the LDF MLAs trooped into the well of the House. They shouted anti-government slogans, accusing the administration of tweaking tax policies to favour a specific private liquor entity, before staging a coordinated walkout.


Govt slams rules violation, demands record expungement

Following the walkout, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala addressed the House, raising strong objections to the Opposition leader's conduct.

They argued that once an adjournment notice is denied, the Opposition can make a walkout speech but is strictly barred from reading out the contents of the motion.

Rule violation: Chief Minister Satheesan contended that Vijayan read out the entire text of the disallowed notice.

Unfounded accusations: Satheesan added that under assembly rules, no defamatory accusations can be part of a notice even if it is permitted. Doing so after a refusal is a serious breach.

Demand: The government formally requested the Speaker to expunge Vijayan's accusations and the contents of the notice from the official House records.

Speaker Radhakrishnan assured the treasury bench that he would examine the technicalities of the matter and make a final decision accordingly.

 

PTI