📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Asifalinair
Politics
Kerala suspends new liquor licences until 2026‑27 policy is framed
✍️ Onmanorama
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 10:02 PM
👁 17
The Kerala government has put a freeze on all fresh liquor licences until a new licensing policy for the 2026‑27 fiscal year is prepared, following a dispute over recent bar permits.
Kerala's Excise Department announced on Monday that the state will not issue any new liquor licences until a comprehensive licensing policy for the 2026‑27 fiscal year is drafted. The move comes amid a heated row over alleged irregularities in recent bar permit allocations.
The suspension applies only to fresh applications; existing licences and renewals will continue to be honoured. Officials said the pause is intended to give the government time to review the current framework and address concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
State authorities expect the new policy document to be tabled before the start of the 2026‑27 financial year, aiming for clearer guidelines and reduced disputes. While trade bodies have warned of a possible dip in revenue, the administration maintains that regulatory certainty outweighs short‑term financial considerations.
The decision reflects the government's broader effort to tighten control over the liquor trade, a sector that contributes significantly to Kerala's fiscal receipts.
No further details on the timeline for processing pending applications were provided, and the department urged applicants to await official notification before proceeding.
The suspension applies only to fresh applications; existing licences and renewals will continue to be honoured. Officials said the pause is intended to give the government time to review the current framework and address concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
State authorities expect the new policy document to be tabled before the start of the 2026‑27 financial year, aiming for clearer guidelines and reduced disputes. While trade bodies have warned of a possible dip in revenue, the administration maintains that regulatory certainty outweighs short‑term financial considerations.
The decision reflects the government's broader effort to tighten control over the liquor trade, a sector that contributes significantly to Kerala's fiscal receipts.
No further details on the timeline for processing pending applications were provided, and the department urged applicants to await official notification before proceeding.