Kerala to Go Dry - Strict No to Alcohol.

The Southern state of Kerala, which has the country's highest alcohol consumption per capita, is moving to become alcohol - free within 10 years. The ruling Congress - Led United Democratic Front in Kerala has decided to shut down over 700 liquor bars attached to hotels below the five star categories and make Sundays - " dry days|". The decision, taken in a meeting of the UDF leadership presided by Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, also marked the resolution of the long drawn feud in the state unit of the Congress and the coalition over the question of renewing licences of 418 bars which were found to be lacking in quality. Chandy said the 418 bars which had been lying closed since April 2014 would not be re-opended.
Regarding the retail sales through the outlets of state Beverages Corporation, the number of such outlets would be wound up 10 per cent every year.
Apart from the existing dry days, which include the first day of every month, all Sundays would be dry days in the State, taking the total liquor holidays to a minimum of 52 a year.
A resident of Kerala typically drinks about 8.3 liotres of alcohol per year, more than double the national average. Rum, Wiskey and brandy  are the state favourite tipples.
Tourism officials worry the ban might hit the most successful industry in a state that markets itself as " God, Own Country". Tourism revenue totaled about $3.8 billion last year.

Hard Fact:
The Decision

• 730 privately owned liqour bars in Kerala to be closed.
• Bars to be allowed only in five star hotels from April 1, 2015.
• 10 per cent to Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlets to be shut down every year until all such units are closed by 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                What the State will lose
• Rs.1181 crore in taxes is the immediate loss estimated.
• Rs.1010  crore in sales at Bevco outlets, which means a fall of nearly Rs.825 crores in sales tax and excise duty collections.
• Rs.375 crore every year, when 10 percent of the Bevco retails outlets are closed down every year.

Impact of Alcohol.

• 8.3 litres a year is the per capita consumption of alcohol in Kerala. This is highest in India.
• Habitual drinker spend up to 44 percent of their income on liquor, according to some surveys.
• 19 to 27 pecent of the hospital beds are inhabited by alcohol and substance-abuse patients.
• 40 per cent of road accidents are caused by druken driving.
• Alcoholism is a major cause for domestic violence, divorce cases and sucides.