Towards a better policy

KOCHI: While there is opposition from several quarters, the anti-liquor policy does have supporters. Doctors and social activists unanimously say that, if not in its entirety, the new policy is at least a first step towards a better one.“The restriction introduced in the age is a welcome step. There is an increasing number of students in colleges who take to alcohol. Many of them are initiated into alcoholism in college hostels. So when we restrict it, it will help control the number of people taking to the habit. But the rule must be accompanied by a monitoring mechanism as well,” said Dr Antony Paul Chettupuzha, gerontologist, Lakeshore Hospital.The lack of any monitoring mechanism has upset many of the anti-alcohol activists as well. The reduction in age and increase of distance between bars are welcome but there is no mechanism to check any of these. This has to be put into practice.  Another problem is that the time frame of implementation is too long. The government has said that they will grant licences till 2014, this will lead to a considerable increase in the number of liquor shops. We had also proposed the restriction in functioning time from 9 am to 5 pm or atleast 9 am to 9 pm,” said Fr T S Antony, state general secretary, Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, temperance commissionBut in spite of these drawbacks some have appreciated the overall framework of the policy. “The government here has introduced a policy of restriction rather than abolition. This is indeed welcome. This will help the  borderline drinkers and the beginners much more. The concept of dry day once a week and general restriction is especially welcome. If the government had introduced a policy of abolition, it would have brought in illicit liquor,” said Sacchidanda Kamath, president, Indian Medical Association, Kochi. “It is still on paper. The authorities concerned did not divulge the details so far. It is learnt that the policy would not affect the existing bars that have the license. Hence we do not have much to say,” said M P Dhaneesh, state general secretary, Kerala Bar Hotels Association.