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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State government has decided to supply Foreign Liquor Produced in India (IMFL) to the Lakshadweep government in response to the latter’s request to source alcohol from the state-run Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco).
The government has granted permission by ignoring the rules in the foreign liquor act. These rules do not allow the transfer of IMFL from Bevco. The director of the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), the apex body of the Lakshadweep government for promoting tourism in the islands, had applied for permission to purchase substantial quantities of liquor from Bevco and transport it from the port of Kochi and Beypore to the union territory of Lakshadweep.
The Excise Commissioner had forwarded the matter to the government as a government order is necessary for the matter with the view that it will help in promoting tourism in Lakshadweep. He informed the government that since there is no provision in the Abkari Act and Rules to grant such permission, the issuance of one-time sanction for purchase of liquor from Bevco warehouse in Ernakulammay be considered for relaxation of rules as it is a request of the Lakshadweep Government.
The government has investigated the matter and decided to impose a one-time penalty on Lakshadweep for purchasing large quantities of liquor from Bevco warehouse and transporting it from Kochi or Beypore port to Bengaram Islandby relaxing the rules. Lakshadweep has been trying to capitalize on its tourism potential in a big way, especially after the India-Maldives row last year. There was a conscious effort by the Centre to promote Lakshadweep, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the Union Territory.
Availability of liquor is a concern for the tourists to the place. Though there are restrictions in the availability of liquor in Lakshadweep, it is not completely banned there. Liquor is sold in the capital Kavaratti and Bangaram Atoll islands, which is an island that is meant for tourism only. Also, the sale of alcohol is restricted to tourists and government officials in Lakshadweep.
The state government is expecting such requests in future too, for which the excise department will have to make changes in the rules. It will be mandatory to put labels on the bottles of liquor sold in the state, stating that the particular bottle of liquor can be sold only in Kerala. For regular transportation of liquor to Lakshadweep, changes will have to be made in the foreign liquor rules and the labelling rules.
The government has granted permission by ignoring the rules in the foreign liquor act. These rules do not allow the transfer of IMFL from Bevco. The director of the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), the apex body of the Lakshadweep government for promoting tourism in the islands, had applied for permission to purchase substantial quantities of liquor from Bevco and transport it from the port of Kochi and Beypore to the union territory of Lakshadweep.
The Excise Commissioner had forwarded the matter to the government as a government order is necessary for the matter with the view that it will help in promoting tourism in Lakshadweep. He informed the government that since there is no provision in the Abkari Act and Rules to grant such permission, the issuance of one-time sanction for purchase of liquor from Bevco warehouse in Ernakulammay be considered for relaxation of rules as it is a request of the Lakshadweep Government.
The government has investigated the matter and decided to impose a one-time penalty on Lakshadweep for purchasing large quantities of liquor from Bevco warehouse and transporting it from Kochi or Beypore port to Bengaram Islandby relaxing the rules. Lakshadweep has been trying to capitalize on its tourism potential in a big way, especially after the India-Maldives row last year. There was a conscious effort by the Centre to promote Lakshadweep, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the Union Territory.
Availability of liquor is a concern for the tourists to the place. Though there are restrictions in the availability of liquor in Lakshadweep, it is not completely banned there. Liquor is sold in the capital Kavaratti and Bangaram Atoll islands, which is an island that is meant for tourism only. Also, the sale of alcohol is restricted to tourists and government officials in Lakshadweep.
The state government is expecting such requests in future too, for which the excise department will have to make changes in the rules. It will be mandatory to put labels on the bottles of liquor sold in the state, stating that the particular bottle of liquor can be sold only in Kerala. For regular transportation of liquor to Lakshadweep, changes will have to be made in the foreign liquor rules and the labelling rules.
