The Assembly on Monday formalised the government decision to raise the legal drinking age from 21 to 23 years.
The House passed the Abkari (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to replace the ordinance promulgated for the purpose.
Rounding off the discussion on the Bill, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government decision to reduce the distance between bars in five star hotels and educational institutions and places of worship from 200m to 50m was driven by the compulsion to promote tourism.
Mr. Surendran said the government policy was to reduce liquor consumption in the State by promoting abstinence.
MLA’s recollections
During the discussion on the Bill, Congress MLA Anil Akkara created a stir in the House through his candid description of the family crisis created by his father and grandfather who were addicted to liquor.
He recounted how he and his mother had broken down at the mortuary of a hospital at Coimbatore after receiving the body of his father who committed suicide.
Describing how his grandfather also had died in a case of drunk driving, he said the government was more concerned about the availability of liquor and the welfare of bar workers than helping the victims of addiction and their families.
Fine for adulteration
The Bill also provides for reducing the punishment for lacing toddy with starch as opposed to other hazardous chemicals.
The amendment proposes a fine of Rs. 25,000 and imprisonment of six months for adulteration of toddy with starch, as against hazardous chemicals which invite a fine of Rs. 50,000 and imprisonment upto five years.
The Bill was put to vote and passed.