📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ajmal Fawaz
Politics
Kerala Excise Minister Says Bar Owners Must Verify Age to Curb Underage Drinking
✍️ The Hawk
🗓 31 Oct 2026, 08:45 AM
👁 17
The Kerala Excise Minister warned that it is the duty of bar owners to check patrons' ages, aiming to curb illegal consumption by minors.
The Excise Minister of Kerala reiterated that the onus of age verification lies squarely with bar proprietors, emphasizing that lax checks contribute to underage drinking. In a recent statement, the minister highlighted recent incidents where minors were served alcohol, urging owners to adopt stricter ID protocols. The department said it will intensify inspections and impose penalties on establishments that fail to comply. Officials also indicated that awareness campaigns will accompany enforcement actions to educate both owners and the public about legal drinking age. The move reflects the state government's broader effort to curb alcohol misuse among youth.
The minister's remarks come amid growing concerns from parents and NGOs about the accessibility of liquor to teenagers in urban and semi‑urban areas of Kerala. While the state already mandates a minimum drinking age of 21, enforcement gaps have allowed some bars to overlook the rule. The Excise Department plans to deploy additional undercover officers to monitor compliance during peak hours.
Stakeholders in the hospitality sector have been asked to cooperate fully, with the promise that compliant establishments will receive recognition, while violators could face fines, license suspension, or revocation. The minister concluded by urging community vigilance and stressing that protecting minors is a shared responsibility.
The minister's remarks come amid growing concerns from parents and NGOs about the accessibility of liquor to teenagers in urban and semi‑urban areas of Kerala. While the state already mandates a minimum drinking age of 21, enforcement gaps have allowed some bars to overlook the rule. The Excise Department plans to deploy additional undercover officers to monitor compliance during peak hours.
Stakeholders in the hospitality sector have been asked to cooperate fully, with the promise that compliant establishments will receive recognition, while violators could face fines, license suspension, or revocation. The minister concluded by urging community vigilance and stressing that protecting minors is a shared responsibility.