KCBC slams govt's liquor policy as attempting to drown state in alcohol
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Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the state, has criticised the Left government's liquor policy, accusing it of attempting to "drown the state in alcohol".
The Temperance Commission of the Church body in a circular expressed strong concerns over the government's decision to allow a new brewery unit in Elappully hamlet of Palakkad and the allocation of pubs and bars in IT parks. The commission warns that this move will exacerbate alcohol consumption in the state, which is already a significant concern.
KCBC established the Temperance Commission in 1998 with a vision for an "Alcohol-free Church and Society". According to the circular, successive governments have prioritised alcohol production and distribution as a way to boost revenue.
The circular was read in many churches here on Sunday in connection with the observance of an anti-liquor and anti-drug day, church sources said.
Claiming that Kerala is under the dangerous grip of synthetic drugs and liquor, it said the number of those who become its victims is steadily increasing.
"Attempts are being made behind the screen to drown our state in liquor by increasing the number of bars and beverage outlets, opening pubs and bars in IT parks and finally by granting permission to a private company to start a brewery unit in Elappully in Palakkad," the circular alleged.
While the circular didn't explicitly name the Left government, it emphasised that everyone has a responsibility to regulate the fast-growing liquor-drug mafia in the state. The commission pointed out that the government's existing programmes aimed at addressing this problem have been ineffective, failing to yield any significant results.
The church body wanted the government to strengthen enforcement and awareness against the growing liquor and drug consumption in the society.
Among other suggestions, it urged the government to thoroughly screen the migrant workers who come to the state in search of jobs.
(inputs from PTI)