Horti wine sales through bakeries: Excise Deputy Commissioner removed from post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has taken action against Excise Deputy Commissioner C.K. Anilkumar for granting permission to sell horti wine with 15 per cent alcohol content through bakeries in Kerala. He has been removed from the post following the controversy over the decision. The action comes after Excise Minister M. Liju sought an urgent report from Excise Commissioner Sambasiva Rao.

The Excise Minister said it was a serious lapse that he was not informed of the decision while discussions on the state's liquor policy were under way. He said the government was unaware of the permission granted for the sale and would cancel the licence allowing horti wine to be sold through bakeries. Liju has also directed the Tax Secretary to seek legal advice on the matter.

The minister criticised the officials for taking a policy-level decision without informing the government. He said he came to know about the sale through the media.

"I came to know through the media that horti wine was being sold through bakeries. I immediately sought an urgent report from the State Excise Commissioner. During the previous government's tenure, amendments were made to Kerala's Abkari laws, and rules were framed to facilitate the sale of horti wine. However, the government has concerns about selling horti wine through shops and bakeries," Liju said.

"The order was issued within two days of the new Excise Commissioner taking charge. Technically, the file need not come before the minister. However, a decision on the matter should have been taken only after informing the minister and the government," he added.