The Solvent and the Solute

Hardly had it surprised anyone when our Chief Minister expressed his regrets in the state assembly over the comment passed by his cabinet colleague on the correlation between viral fever deaths and liquor consumption.

Actually, this relation was not the finding of our health minister, but he simply quoted from the observations of the central medical team that was touring the state to study about the high incidence of fever related deaths.   Chandy’s apology pleased the entire Assembly and by that the “innocence” of liquor got vindicated once again, but for those who understand the danger due to the rise in consumption of liquor and its effects on our social institutions, CM’s apology proves his inability to put forward facts courageously and to tell the people that liquor is the main villain in causing many deaths not only during fever seasons, but it has eaten deep into our state and thereby we are on the brink of being withered away.

Now, a good get together means, the amount of liquor consumed there is great.  No celebrations we see around without the presence of this spirited devil.  Nobody cares about its quality or the devastating effects on our health.  If a bottle of rum costs Rs. 200 at Sarkar outlet, the price when it land in Kerala is only 60.  This includes bottling, transportation, profit,  etc.  Then we can imagine real price of the contents inside.  It may come around Rs 10!!!!!

Another factor we should ponder is the difference in quality of liquor supplied through Defense canteens compared with the liquor sold through other outlet.   A huge amount of liquor is supplied through defense service canteens and there is a big demand for those among the public who think the quality is better and cost is cheaper.  That means the quality of drinks supplied through other outlets is inferior, but taxed heavily and sold at exorbitant prices.   What is the difference between these two?  Nobody has explained so far.

Many Keralites spend a lot on liquor burning their bodies and their homes as well.  He is the real taxpayer and he is the one who supports more our economy after the NRIs.  So he has every right to get the better one if not the best.  It is high time the government had taken some serious decisions in this regard rather pushing aside these consumers calling them as drunkards.  There should be a proper quality control over the products sold through Sarkar outlets and the health of the consumer should be the primary concern, not the tax or profit.  Inferior products that directly affect a person’s health should be black listed.  The Finance Department should not see these consumers as their source of revenue.  For every need our FD rely on drunkards by increasing the price of beverages without improving its quality.  Every rise in price has cascading effect on our economy and all it begins with the increase in labor charges.  This will prompt the employers to depend on non-locals.   It will affect the job chances of the locals and their families get affected.  This is one example alone.

The poor quality of Rs. 10 worth liquor has eroded the health of many.  Many are being thrown out of jobs and families as they fail to understand what is responsible drinking. But, who is responsible more than anybody:  the government itself.  Considering them as drunkards, not as the most valuable consumers is the greatest sin committed by our officials.  No consumer organizations have come forward to support their rights to consume good products since they pay tax sacrificing a lot.   How much our State has got withered away because of this callous attitude is yet to be debated by our political class.  If this trend continues this spirit will become the most potential solvent and the solute will be our state and its culture.

Prathap M.R.
Senior Editor, TechnoparkToday.com