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Alcohol ban in kerala and the state is moving to become alcohol-free within 10 years. ie, 2023

An average consumption of alcohol by a keralite is about 8.3 liters per year, more than double the national average. Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala have outlined plans to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol to tackle the state's drink problem.



Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the state government was in favour of "total prohibition". From next April, only 5-star hotels will be granted bar licences. Though hundreds of bars will close in the next few months, government-run liquor stores ( beverages store ) will be phased out more gradually over the next 10 years. There are arguments against government's decision that this will have an adverse effect on revenue and tourism in the state. Liquor stores will be phased out gradually, but 400 bars are closing immediately and another 312 will lose their licences by March 2015. 10 per cent of the retail liquor stores in the state would be closed every year till there is none left by 2023.

A total of 730 bars serving alcohol will be shut.
Sundays will be added to existing alcohol-free days on the first day of every month
Only luxury hotels ( five star hotels) will be allowed to serve alcohol from next year.
10% of the 338 liquor shops owned by a state-run monopoly will be shut every year.
The state should be prepared to accept total prohibition within 10 years.

Read more

BBC report on Kerala Liquor ban

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