Kerala has raised the age for buying and selling liquor to 21 years from the present 18 years.
The change will be effected through an ordinance, to be signed by the Governor in a couple of days, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday.
The age limit was raised following reports that children as young as 13 to 14 years, consume liquor in the state.
The efficacy of the new rule is doubtful, since the staff at busy outlets will hardly get any time to verify the age of the customers. “Where we will get the time to verify the age while dealing with a crowd who literally snatch bottle from us?” questioned Pradeep, an employee at a liquor outlet. The state exchequer earns over Rs 6,000 crore from the liquor business.
Published 20 February 2013, 19:57 IST