Excise in Kerala Ready to supply liquor as per doctor’s prescription

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM March 30: The Kerala Excise Commissioner’s draft document expressing readiness to supply liquor to alcoholics as per doctor’s prescription is out. The document states that liquor will be provided to those people who produce prescriptions from government doctors.

The prescription must be produced at the nearby Excise office. Excise officials will also be permitted to purchase liquor from beverage outlets.

The Excise Commissioner’s draft document will be soon handed over to the government. The document also needs approval from the health and law departments.

Meanwhile, Kerala Government Medical Officer’s Association (KGMOA), the association of government doctor’s, have opposed the move.

Terming the move immoral and unscientific, the association stated that liquor can never be medicine for alcoholism.

It must be noted that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier stated that the government is planning to supply liquor to those suffering from alcoholism as per doctor’s prescription.

The move was based on reports which suggested that as many as 6 persons suffering from withdrawal symptoms committed suicide due to the unavailability of liquor.