Now You have to be 21 For Alcohol Consumption

12 June 2013
Kochi

Kerala State which have the highest per capita consumption of Alcohol is planning to raise the legal drinking age to 21 years. Government on Monday moved a Bill in the State Assembly seeking to raise the minimum drinking age by three years. The Bill prohibits underage people from drinking, buying or carrying liquor. It also bans liquor shops and bars from selling them alcohol.

The State has made it mandatory for liquor outlets to get the consent of local self-Government bodies before they set up shop. While some see this as a boost to local panchayats, anti-liquor campaigners say it has only helped decentralize corruption, with many panchayat functionaries now on the payrolls of bar owners.

The turnover of the state-owned Beverages Corporation (Bevco) has consistently registered double-digit increase year after year over the past decade. Bevco, the State monopoly in liquor trade, sold liquor valued at Rs 8,840 crore in 2012-13. It is one of the top revenue-earners for the Kerala Government.

Source– http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/in-kerala-you-need-to-be-21-for-tipsy-nights/article4807513.ece

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