Boozers float forum to fight for rights

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tipplers in Kerala have formed an organization to protect the rights of liquor consumers.

Kerala Alcohol Consumers Welfare Forum' President Adinad Sasi, a stage actor, says the body would seek to 'protect the rights of liquor consumers' who are being "exploited" by authorities.

Kerala has the highest per capita consumption of liquor (8.3 litres), higher than Punjab (7.9 litres), against the national average of four litres.

The promoters of the drinkers' Forum, based at Ochira in Kollam district, wants society to learn to `behave' with alcohol consumers. Drinkers should no longer be a subject of ridicule, says Sasi.

The forum wants proper facilities for drinkers belonging to weaker sections who purchase liquor from State Beverages Corporation outlets paying high taxes. The government should at least spend one per cent of the revenue collected from its sales for the welfare of these sections, Sasi said.

"Now they are forced to drink in unhygienic conditions and have to pay high prices for soda and side dishes," he said adding the Forum was not for promotion of drinking but to attend to the needs of drinkers and their families.

Sasi said the Forum would soon submit a 17-point charter of demands to the government.

The forum, which enrolls members by standing in front of liquor outlets, already has a 5,000-strong membership, he claimed adding "more and more people are coming forward to join us".