THRISSUR: The new liquor policy of the government has caused a split in the excise officers’ association.
Those opposed to the liquor policy have formed a new organisation here, where the excise academy headquarters is situated. The organisation leaders claimed that they have the indirect support of Excise Minister K. Babu.
According to sources, a meeting of 177 senior officials was convened here a few days ago and on Monday they formed the “Kerala Excise Gazetted Officers’ Association.’
“We are not for promoting high alcohol consumption in the state. But the severe shortage of excise staff will hamper the implementation of the new liquor policy. The department has only one-fifth of the required strength and a shortage of 17,511 staff. At present, we have a total staff strength of 4,427 only. A few of our existing association leaders are not ready to raise the issue before the authorities. This has forced us to form a new organisation,” they said.
Among 400 officer-level staff in the department, 177 members are supporting the new group.
