Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener T.P. Ramakrishnan has alleged that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are trying to mislead people on the controversy related to the proposed low tax rates for low-volume alcoholic beverages.
Addressing the media here on Thursday, he said that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s position was that tax must be levied on liquor made out of spirit, even if it was a low-volume alcoholic beverage. The government stuck to its position even after immense pressure from liquor manufacturers, Mr. Ramakrishnan said. However, the UDF and Mr. Satheesan were now trying to misinterpret this decision and mislead people.
On Mr. Satheesan’s statement that a final decision on allowing low-volume alcohol beverages was left to the UDF, Mr. Ramakrishnan wondered how a decision taken by the government could be subjected to another discussion within that political alliance. “The government should have made the proposal after political decisions within the UDF… Reducing the tax on alcohol made from spirit from 251% will only aid liquor consumption and help manufacturers. Ready to drink liquor will be freely made available. The government should rethink its position,” Mr. Ramakrishnan said.
Published – June 25, 2026 09:13 pm IST