<p>Come September 12, and all the 730 private bars, excluding those in five-star hotels, in the highest liquor consumption state in the country will bid a final adieu as per the much debated Kerala government’s recent order. Preparing to face the aftermath of September 12, the state is vigorously pursuing a no-holds-barred effort to plug in the potential loopholes that could occur after the deadline.<br /> <br /></p>.<p>Among the precautionary measures which are being taken, excise officials lay focus on the districts which share boundary with neighbouring states, posing a threat of free flow of illicit or spurious liquor across the border. “Anticipating the situation in Kasargod, we have formed two special striking force to keep a round-the-clock vigil across the Karnataka border. Also, the joint team of Kerala-Karnataka excise department has been conducting surprise raids and vehicle checkings on every alternate days,” said Kasargod Deputy Excise Commissioner (DEC) V V Surendran. Though the combing operations and surprise raids were an annual affair prior to the Onam season, the Deputy Excise Commissioner hinted that the special squads might function regularly in the wake of the shut down of the bars.<br /> <br />11 liquor outlets<br /><br />Out of the 730 private bars in Kerala, Kasargod has five of which four are three-star rated. Of this, three have been not functioning since last April for the non-renewal of license due to the government policy. Going by the govenment decision, after September 12, Kasargod will have only 10 outlets owned by State run Beverages Corporation and a bar functioning at five-star hotel in Bekal.<br /> <br />But the excise department's concern is about the porous inter-state border through which spurious liquour can enter from Karnataka or Goa which can cause a tragedy. “Currently, on the dry days in Kerala, people along the border villages used to throng the bars in Karnataka. That trend will increase after September 12, and also the possibility of a spurt in illegal-transport of liquor,” confirmed DEC to Deccan Herald. Underlining the need for awareness at the grassroot-level, he said that public level meetings are being held at gram panchayat levels to reach the message to common public. Besides, a meeting convened by Kasargod District Collector on Wednesday has resolved to take action against inter-state liquor transporters under Goonda Act.<br /><br />Meanwhile, reports indicate that the private bars located close to Kerala border in Karnataka are also being ‘spruced up’ to tap the opportunity. Rajashekharan, an anti-liquor activist in Kasargod says that the small town of Chemberi near Bhagamandala in Karnataka has four bars. “There are already rumours that these bars will be offering discount rate for Keralites to woo them. This was the exact thing happened way back in 1996 when Kerala banned arrack. People will simply walk in to Karnataka daily evening and have more than their usual quota of booze. This spurred liquor-driven criminal activites in the border villages,” he elaborated. People, mostly daily wage labourers residing in the colonies at the hill top villages are more prone to this addiction.<br /><br /> Rajeshekharan flays that checkings or raids by police or excise are just an eyewash. “Illegal transport of liquor has already been started for the Onam market. Areas like Panathadi, Chittarikal, Rajapuram have suffficient Onam stock of Karnataka liquor. Though a sales tax check post is located at Panathadi, it is good for nothing,” he fumes. <br /></p>
<p>Come September 12, and all the 730 private bars, excluding those in five-star hotels, in the highest liquor consumption state in the country will bid a final adieu as per the much debated Kerala government’s recent order. Preparing to face the aftermath of September 12, the state is vigorously pursuing a no-holds-barred effort to plug in the potential loopholes that could occur after the deadline.<br /> <br /></p>.<p>Among the precautionary measures which are being taken, excise officials lay focus on the districts which share boundary with neighbouring states, posing a threat of free flow of illicit or spurious liquor across the border. “Anticipating the situation in Kasargod, we have formed two special striking force to keep a round-the-clock vigil across the Karnataka border. Also, the joint team of Kerala-Karnataka excise department has been conducting surprise raids and vehicle checkings on every alternate days,” said Kasargod Deputy Excise Commissioner (DEC) V V Surendran. Though the combing operations and surprise raids were an annual affair prior to the Onam season, the Deputy Excise Commissioner hinted that the special squads might function regularly in the wake of the shut down of the bars.<br /> <br />11 liquor outlets<br /><br />Out of the 730 private bars in Kerala, Kasargod has five of which four are three-star rated. Of this, three have been not functioning since last April for the non-renewal of license due to the government policy. Going by the govenment decision, after September 12, Kasargod will have only 10 outlets owned by State run Beverages Corporation and a bar functioning at five-star hotel in Bekal.<br /> <br />But the excise department's concern is about the porous inter-state border through which spurious liquour can enter from Karnataka or Goa which can cause a tragedy. “Currently, on the dry days in Kerala, people along the border villages used to throng the bars in Karnataka. That trend will increase after September 12, and also the possibility of a spurt in illegal-transport of liquor,” confirmed DEC to Deccan Herald. Underlining the need for awareness at the grassroot-level, he said that public level meetings are being held at gram panchayat levels to reach the message to common public. Besides, a meeting convened by Kasargod District Collector on Wednesday has resolved to take action against inter-state liquor transporters under Goonda Act.<br /><br />Meanwhile, reports indicate that the private bars located close to Kerala border in Karnataka are also being ‘spruced up’ to tap the opportunity. Rajashekharan, an anti-liquor activist in Kasargod says that the small town of Chemberi near Bhagamandala in Karnataka has four bars. “There are already rumours that these bars will be offering discount rate for Keralites to woo them. This was the exact thing happened way back in 1996 when Kerala banned arrack. People will simply walk in to Karnataka daily evening and have more than their usual quota of booze. This spurred liquor-driven criminal activites in the border villages,” he elaborated. People, mostly daily wage labourers residing in the colonies at the hill top villages are more prone to this addiction.<br /><br /> Rajeshekharan flays that checkings or raids by police or excise are just an eyewash. “Illegal transport of liquor has already been started for the Onam market. Areas like Panathadi, Chittarikal, Rajapuram have suffficient Onam stock of Karnataka liquor. Though a sales tax check post is located at Panathadi, it is good for nothing,” he fumes. <br /></p>