Kochi: The Kerala High Court cautioned the State that it should consider the liquor prohibition plan on a serious note. The court asked the State to find the actual reason for the increase in consumption.
‘"Unless the reason is identified and measures to counter the issue put in place, it would not be possible to reduce the consumption in an effective manner”, said Justice K. Surendra Mohan.
The court pointed out that the volume of liquor consumed had become a cause for concern and had been engaging the attention of the State in the past decades.
Statistics show that the measures already adopted, like the ban of arrack and the enhancement of excise duty on liquor have not had any effect in stemming the demand.
"The situation has been continuing without any change, showing a steady increase in the sale and consumption of liquor every year. The efforts undertaken by the State to reduce the consumption had failed to achieve any significant results, the court pointed out."
Alerting the State the court further pointed out that a sudden non-availability of any article in demand would only induce people to search for other alternatives or avenues to satisfy the demand.
“Bootlegging, production of spurious liquor, alternative drugs or other substances that would satisfy the demand would replace liquor", the court observed.
