Cheers to tourism: Kerala govt to provide Indian-made foreign liquor to Lakshadweep through rule relaxation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala govt has resolved to provide Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) to the Lakshadweep administration in response to the latter's request to procure liquor from the state-run Kerala state beverages corporation (Bevco).

Govt has accorded clearance by overlooking the regulations stipulated in the foreign liquor rules, which do not permit the transfer of IMFL from Bevco. The MD of the society for the promotion of nature tourism and sports (SPORTS), the primary organization of the Lakshadweep administration for fostering tourism in the islands, had submitted a requisition seeking authorisation to procure liquor in substantial quantity from Bevco and for the conveyance of the same from Kochi and Beypore Port to the Union territory of Lakshadweep.

The excise commissioner had forwarded the matter to the govt as a govt decision is necessitated for the matter with an opinion that it will aid in promoting tourism in Lakshadweep. He apprised the govt that since there is no stipulation in the Abkari Act and rules to grant such permission, the issuance of a one-time sanction for the acquisition of liquor from the Bevco warehouse in Ernakulam, in relaxation of rules, may be contemplated, as it is a solicitation from the govt of Lakshadweep.

Govt scrutinised the matter and decided to confer a one-time sanction to Lakshadweep for the bulk procurement of liquor from the Bevco warehouse and transportation of the same from Kochi or Beypore port to Bengaram Island, by relaxing the rules. Lakshadweep has been endeavouring to capitalise on its tourism potential in a major way, especially after last year's India-Maldives row. There was a deliberate attempt from the Centre to promote Lakshadweep, for which even Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the Union territory.

Availability of liquor has been a concern for the tourists to the place. Though there are limitations in the availability of liquor in Lakshadweep, it is not fully proscribed there. Liquor is sold in the capital Kavaratti and Bangaram Atoll islands, which is an island exclusively for tourism purposes. Also, sales of liquor are limited to tourists and govt officials only in Lakshadweep.

State govt anticipates such requests in the future too, for which the excise department will have to make amendments to the rules. It is mandatory to affix labels over the liquor bottles being sold in the state, which says that the particular liquor bottle can be sold only in Kerala. To transport liquor to Lakshadweep regularly, amendments will have to be made in the foreign liquor rules as well as labelling rules.