Liquor at doorstep stays a dream

Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Consumers who have been eagerly ready to get their each day quota of liquor at their doorstep from subsequent week must wait a bit longer. This,  as a result of the state authorities can not begin the web sale with out altering its Abkari coverage. And with the election mannequin code of conduct in pressure, solely the following authorities can amend Abkari Act or Foreign Liquor Rules. 

Though the present authorities can take choices regarding important and emergency providers even with the mode of conduct in pressure, liquor doesn’t fall in the identical class. There have been reviews that the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), the state-owned public sector liquor retail monopoly, would launch on-line liquor sale on an experimental foundation in two districts from subsequent week. However, the state authorities sources and Bevco officers dominated this out within the current circumstances. 

“To start online liquor sales, various rules and the (Kerala Abkari) Act have to be amended. For instance, Section 10 of the Act prohibits the transportation of liquor or intoxicating drug, exceeding the permissible quantity. Further, Section 13 of the Act prohibits possession of liquor or intoxicating drugs above the quantity prescribed by the government,” mentioned B Radhakrishnan, assistant excise commissioner. 

“Online trade can start only after the state government takes a policy decision and makes necessary changes to the Abkari Act or Foreign Liquor Rules,” he mentioned.  Though the following authorities can determine on this regard after assuming workplace, it’s going to take time, mentioned senior excise officers. “The online trade of the liquor cannot be initiated unless there is a policy decision. The supply, logistics, transportation issues have to be sorted out before launching the online trade,” mentioned former Bevco MD Sparjan Kumar.

Policy change

Various sections of the Abkari Act that should be amended to facilitate on-line commerce of liquor 

Section 10 states that nobody can transport liquor or intoxicating drug past the permissible amount

Permissible amount is 3 lt for IMFL and three.5 lt for beer 
Permit required to move liquor past this amount 
Permits could also be issued by the Excise Commissioner or by any individual duly empowered in that behalf
Such permits shall be both basic for particular intervals and sorts of liquor or intoxicating medication, or particular for specified events and specific consignments solely
General permits shall be granted solely to individuals licenced underneath the Act and shall cowl any amount of liquor transported at anyone time throughout the amount specified within the allow.