Protests brewing as Lakshadweep administration plans to toast liquor

Express News Service

KOCHI: In one more controversial transfer, the Lakshadweep administration has printed a draft excise regulation invoice and sought recommendations from native residents on allowing the sale and consumption of liquor within the archipelago.

Additional District Magistrate R Giri Shankar issued the notification, ostensibly to draw vacationers to the islands, on August 3. The residents ought to submit their recommendations inside 30 days. 

The transfer has triggered an outrage amongst residents as 97% of the inhabitants are Muslims who imagine consumption of liquor is in opposition to their tradition and spiritual custom. 

Sale of alcohol was banned within the islands in 1979 below the Liquor Prohibition Regulations primarily based on demand from the group to protect their tradition.

Though the administration had tried to revoke the ban in 2021, the transfer was deserted following public protest. However, liquor is served on the resorts in Bangaram, an uninhabited island, to fulfill the demand of worldwide vacationers. 

“We are not against serving liquor to tourists at resorts on Bangaram island. The administration has made provisions to allow liquor in new five-star hotels coming up on the island. Allowing sale of liquor to the public will destroy our culture and we will oppose it tooth and nail,” stated Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal.  

Draft invoice proposes posting of excise commissioner

The draft invoice proposes appointment of excise commissioner and help workers for monitoring and regulating the sale and consumption of liquor. 

A board of specialists  will likely be constituted  to advise the administrator on the technical or authorized points associated to fabricate, sale and consumption of liquor.  Subject to the provisions of the regulation, the excise commissioner could grant license or lease for manufacture and sale by wholesale or retail inside any native space.

The administration has the precise to order the closure of liquor retailers, however he variety of closure days within the licensing 12 months shall not exceed seven days in all or greater than three days repeatedly. 
The proposal is to promote Indian made overseas liquor on the price 300% of the final promoting worth. A 50% obligation will likely be imposed on wine whereas the obligation for beer will likely be 100%. 

BANNED IN 1979

Sale of alcohol was banned in Lakshadweep islands in 1979 below the Liquor Prohibition Regulations primarily based on the demand from the group to protect their tradition and spiritual custom

KOCHI: In one more controversial transfer, the Lakshadweep administration has printed a draft excise regulation invoice and sought recommendations from native residents on allowing the sale and consumption of liquor within the archipelago.

Additional District Magistrate R Giri Shankar issued the notification, ostensibly to draw vacationers to the islands, on August 3. The residents ought to submit their recommendations inside 30 days. 

The transfer has triggered an outrage amongst residents as 97% of the inhabitants are Muslims who imagine consumption of liquor is in opposition to their tradition and spiritual custom. googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

Sale of alcohol was banned within the islands in 1979 below the Liquor Prohibition Regulations primarily based on demand from the group to protect their tradition.

Though the administration had tried to revoke the ban in 2021, the transfer was deserted following public protest. However, liquor is served on the resorts in Bangaram, an uninhabited island, to fulfill the demand of worldwide vacationers. 

“We are not against serving liquor to tourists at resorts on Bangaram island. The administration has made provisions to allow liquor in new five-star hotels coming up on the island. Allowing sale of liquor to the public will destroy our culture and we will oppose it tooth and nail,” stated Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal.  

Draft invoice proposes posting of excise commissioner

The draft invoice proposes appointment of excise commissioner and help workers for monitoring and regulating the sale and consumption of liquor. 

A board of specialists  will likely be constituted  to advise the administrator on the technical or authorized points associated to fabricate, sale and consumption of liquor.  Subject to the provisions of the regulation, the excise commissioner could grant license or lease for manufacture and sale by wholesale or retail inside any native space.

The administration has the precise to order the closure of liquor retailers, however he variety of closure days within the licensing 12 months shall not exceed seven days in all or greater than three days repeatedly. 
The proposal is to promote Indian made overseas liquor on the price 300% of the final promoting worth. A 50% obligation will likely be imposed on wine whereas the obligation for beer will likely be 100%. 

BANNED IN 1979

Sale of alcohol was banned in Lakshadweep islands in 1979 below the Liquor Prohibition Regulations primarily based on the demand from the group to protect their tradition and spiritual custom