The Kerala High Court has stayed the state government’s order to supply liquor to tipplers with withdrawal symptoms on doctor’s prescription during coronavirus lockdown.
The division bench of the Kerala HC on Thursday stayed the government order regarding special passes for tipplers for three weeks.
The Kerala government, had earlier in an order, stated that people with alcohol withdrawal symptom could apply for liquor pass with a doctor’s certificate, saying the person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
The state government move had met with protests by the medical fraternity who said that alcohol addiction is a disease. Doctors added that issuing such certificates was against their ethics.
The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) had also sought immediate withdrawal of the order, saying it was “anti-people”. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also come out against the government’s move.
Later, three petitions, including one by Congress MP TN Prathapan, were filed in the court against the move of the Kerala government.
WHAT DID THE ORDER SAY
With lockdown in place, the Kerala government said liquor would be delivered home by state-run retail outlets to those who exhibit withdrawal symptoms and have a doctor’s prescription.
In the order issued on Monday, the government said, following the lockdown and the closure of liquor outlets in the state, there were many instances of social issues, including suicidal tendencies shown by those who consumed liquor regularly and the state government has decided to initiate steps to resolve the matter.
As per guidelines issued by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation Managing Director G Sparjan Kumar, for the supply of liquor, a service charge of Rs 100 was to be collected from each pass holder for meeting the delivery expenses.Each person was to be entitled to 3 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) but sale of wine and beer was not envisaged.
The order stated that those not willing to undertake the home delivery, their name and details to be reported to the head office for submission to the government.
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