Liquor Naming Contest Violates Abkari Rules, Says KCBC Anti-Liquor Committee

Kochi: The KCBC Anti-Liquor Committee has strongly condemned the Kerala government’s advertisement inviting names and logos for a new brandy brand to be launched by Malabar Distilleries, a state-owned enterprise in Palakkad. The committee has demanded that the minister withdraw the advertisement and provide a clarification regarding the move.

The committee asserts that the competition, which offers a prize to the public for suggesting names, is a blatant violation of Abkari rules. They further labeled the advertisement by Bevco as a “surrogate advertisement,” which is strictly prohibited. The KCBC Anti-Liquor Committee highlighted that such an advertisement sends a misleading message, even to children, and constitutes a clear infringement of legal provisions against liquor advertising. The committee vowed not to allow the government to proceed with this initiative without withdrawing the contentious advertisement.

Critiquing the government’s stance, the committee pointed out that despite advocating for liquor abstinence for the past decade, the administration recently extended bar operating hours for the New Year celebrations. They interpret this and other pro-Abkari measures as a strategy to secure election funds. The KCBC Anti-Liquor Committee further stated that the government’s actions are testing the patience of mothers and sisters who are already grappling with the severe consequences of alcohol and other dangerous intoxicants.

Previously, Bevco had announced a prize of Rs 10,000 for the most suitable name for the Indian-made brandy intended for production at Malabar Distilleries in Menompara, Palakkad. The public was invited to submit their proposed names and logos to malabardistilleries@gmail.com by January 7.