The Kerala Government has asked the State Drug Control Department to frame an act to control the licensing and use of chemicals that go into the production of spurious liquor. The proposed legislation would be something similar to the Poisons Act, which regulates licensing of poisonous materials.
Informed sources said, that the spurious liquor makers usually use less alcohol than what is required and add a small quantity of chemicals like methanol to give high intoxicating effect. This helps these illicit players to make good profit without spending much on alcohol.
Sources said, that methanol being a highly poisonous substance, consumption of any beverages mixed it poses as a danger to the health of the public. The main reason for Kerala having so many deaths due to alcohol consumption is the presence of methanol in liquor. It is in this background the state government asked the Drug Control Department to control the licensing and use of methanol in the state.
Control over the alcohol adulteration could not be done effectively so far and that is why the government has decided to frame an act to control the licensing and usage of poisonous substances which go into the making of spurious liquor. A senior government official said that the Poison Act, 1919 has not been very ineffective as the fine of Rs 500 or imprisonment for one year is not considered a sufficient punishment.
The state government's initiative now to frame an effective law is to bring an end to this illegal activity. The Drug Control Department is also considering including the control of "Precursors" used in making narcotics. "Precursors are the raw materials which go into making of the narcotics. There is information that these are being misused often. So we would like to have a control over its usage and licensing too," said the official.
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