March 26, 2022

Prohibition | Bihar’s alcohol ban is not working. It’s time a better policy was in place

Consumption of liquor, even in small quantities, may have dire health consequences but prohibition has never been an effective strategy to reduce consumption. Historically, prohibition has never worked, and was often found to have created negative externalities which in turn […]
June 16, 2017

How Liberal is Kerala’s Latest Liquor Policy?

As the new liquor policy becomes operational, it is important to ask if it proposes any novel initiative that could transform the liquor sector of Kerala. A crucial transformation that liquor businesses in Kerala require is not mere access to […]
May 7, 2016

Alcohol Prohibition- Future Dilemmas

Rahul V Kumar, Research Consultant at Centre for Public Policy Research writes about the alcohol prohibition public policy being experimented across states in India. He answers two questions in this blog,  What could be the purpose for prohibiting alcohol? Will prohibition […]
August 26, 2014

“It is not your fault consumers!”- Understanding Kerala state’s historical mismanagement of the liquor market.

* Rahul V. Kumar The liquor policy of the government of Kerala announced last week, takes into account the dramatic rise in consumption in the state. However, it smacks trouble for the years to come. Although much time has passed […]
August 22, 2014

Total Alcohol Prohibition – Mixed reaction to govt move, Times of India, August 22nd

TOTAL PROHIBITION – Mixed reaction to govt move Times of India, 22nd August, 2014* The government decision to close down more bars except those functioning at five-star hotels has invoked mixed response. While women’s welfare groups and church welcome the […]