Excise Minister meets anti-alcohol groups over local authority powers

Excise Minister M. Liju convened talks with representatives from approximately 20 organisations working on prohibition and anti-narcotic initiatives, according to official sources. The meeting provided a platform for civil society groups to raise concerns about the current enforcement framework for alcohol and drug-related regulations.

A central demand that emerged from the discussions was the restoration of expanded powers to local bodies, including municipal corporations and gram panchayats. Activists argued that grassroots governance structures are better positioned to monitor and regulate liquor sales and narcotic substances within their jurisdictions, given their proximity to communities.

The delegations represented coalitions of organisations focused on public health advocacy and social welfare, bringing together perspectives from multiple states and districts. Their representations underscored the need for decentralised enforcement mechanisms to complement state-level excise policies.

The minister's engagement with the groups reflects ongoing dialogue between government authorities and civil society stakeholders on regulatory strategies. The discussions are expected to inform policy considerations regarding the distribution of enforcement responsibilities across administrative levels, though no immediate policy changes were announced during the meeting.