Kerala High Court stays ‘liquor pass’ order
KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the government order that said liquor could be sold to alcohol addicts if they could produce an ‘alcohol withdrawal syndrome’ certificate from a government doctor. The stay will last for three weeks. The interim order was passed on petitions filed by Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) and TN Prathapan, MLA.
The Excise Department order was issued after five suicides of alcohol addicts were reported from various parts of Kerala during the nation-wide COVID-19 lockdown which ends on 14th. According to latest reports, six deaths related to alcohol deprivation have been reported in Kerala.
The order issued by the managing director of Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) had stated that three litres of liquor will be provided to those with government doctor’s prescription. The Excise order, called the ‘Liquor Pass’ order, was drawn up to give habitual drinkers controlled access to liquor during the lockdown period.
Minister for Excise TP Ramakrishnan said the government would abide by the High Court verdict.
Doctors’ associations opposed the government move saying that order was unethical. Government doctors observed April 1 as black day in protest against the ‘liquor pass’ decision. The IMA petition stated that the decision was illegal and unethical. “There are scientific ways to treat those with severe withdrawal symptoms. Giving them liquor is not the solution,” stated the petition.
The court agreed with arguments that the government order is senseless and is equal to insulting the doctors. The court also supported the argument that alcohol addicts must be provided treatment instead of liquor. One of the judges said the order was a ‘recipe for disaster’.
Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar asked Kerala attorney KV Sohan how alcohol withdrawal syndrome could be treated with alcohol itself. “We are concerned that the state government has taken a unilateral decision to administer more alcohol to persons suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is disturbing,” Justice
Nambiar said. Kerala attorney said alcohol in optimum doses was an accepted cure for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. “No document in medical literature supports such a prescription of alcohol to persons with alcohol withdrawal syndrome,” Justice Nambiar replied.
If the doctor is convinced that the person is suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms, he or she can either give an attested note or opinion saying so. The person can then submit this to the nearest excise range or circle, from where the information will be passed on to the Beverages Corporation. Arrangements will then be made to provide the person liquor.