In a communication sent to all divisions on Saturday, Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) R Jayasankar said no proceedings on fresh licences should begin until the new policy is framed.Keralam liquor policy under the scanner!Thiruvananthapuram,Nov 8, 2026 17:19 ISTDeputy Excise Commissioners in Keralam have been directed not to process or issue fresh liquor licences until the state government finalises its policy for 2026–27.The instruction follows a dispute over licences granted under the previous LDF government’s policy, which led to the suspension of two Deputy Excise Commissioners.In a communication sent to all divisions on Saturday, Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) R Jayasankar said no proceedings on fresh licences should begin until the new policy is framed. He currently holds additional charge as Excise Commissioner following Seeram Sambasiva Rao’s transfer.Citing government directives dated August 4 and November 3, Jayasankar said the administration had decided after taking office in May not to grant fresh licences based on applications already submitted.
Applicants were asked to apply again once the new policy was ready, subject to revised conditions and legal provisions. LICENCE APPROVALS TRIGGERED ACTIONExcise Minister M Liju had expressed dissatisfaction after three bars in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts received licences under the previous government’s policy.
He suspended two Deputy Excise Commissioners over the approvals.The minister also intervened to cancel a licence allowing a Chalakudy-based bakery chain to sell horti wine and transferred the official who granted it. Liju has said the UDF government’s new liquor policy will be announced by the end of November.- Ends