The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed uproar over the State government’s move to make low-alcohol beverages available across the State, with the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) raising the issue on the floor of the House and protesting against the move.

The LDF brought the issue to the attention of the House through a Rule 50 notice, demanding a discussion by suspending the scheduled business of the House. However, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan refused to admit the adjournment motion, ruling that the issue did not meet the level of urgency required to suspend House proceedings for a detailed discussion, especially as the Revised Budget discussion was already underway.

He also said that the Revised Budget discussion provides sufficient opportunity to raise the issue and discuss the matter in detail. Therefore, there was no need to suspend House proceedings to discuss a matter that already fell within the scope of the Revised Budget discussion, the Speaker ruled. This prompted protests from the Opposition members, who gathered in the well of the House and subsequently around the Speaker’s dais, raising slogans and creating an uproar.

Move smacks of corruption: Pinarayi

Addressing the Speaker, Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan said the State government’s move was aimed at making low-alcohol beverages “as if soft drinks” across the State. The proposal to reduce the 251% tax imposed on alcohol to 120% for this category of low-alcohol liquor clearly smacked of corruption, given the swift processing of files in favour of a private company based in Karnataka, he said.

“What benefit does this project bring to the common man?” he asked, asserting that it was intended to “protect the interests of a few.”

“This will further entice people into the vicious cycle of addiction, and the Opposition cannot cooperate with this project,” Mr. Vijayan said.

Although Opposition members expressed their displeasure by entering the well of the House and raising slogans, the Speaker proceeded with the scheduled business. Later, the Opposition members walked out of the Assembly.