Police begin enforcement of liquor ban in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, April 1 (ANI): Police began enforcing liquor ban in Kerala and sealed bars across Thiruvananthapuram to assess the situation after a court ratified new liquor policy. Last year, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the state government was in favour of total prohibition and from April only 5-star hotels would be granted bar licences. Excise officials have been asked to conduct verification of the bars and take stock of the liquor before enforcing the new order. However, the 300 bars across the state, which cannot sell IMFL, can operate as beer parlours. The tropical state of Kerala, which has the country's highest alcohol consumption per capita, will become alcohol-free within 10 years and the new order has left many asking why. A resident of Kerala typically drinks about 8.3 liters of alcohol per year, more than double the national average. Rum, whiskey and brandy are the state's favourite tipples.
