✎ Kerala government cracks down on excise corruption with vigilance probes and new liquor policy to ensure transparency.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
Kerala Excise Minister M. Liju announced on September 1, 2026, that the state government will recommend a Vigilance inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act against seven suspended Excise officials, including a Deputy Commissioner, for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets and accepting bribes from licensed bars in Kottayam district under *Operation Bijapur*. The UDF government has reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy against corruption, emphasizing that legal businesses will be supported while illegal activities, such as operating bars beyond permitted hours, will face stringent action. The government also plans to modernize the Excise Department by seeking enhanced powers to track locations and crack down on drug gangs, currently dependent on police assistance.
The new liquor policy, expected by September-end, will be formulated after consultations with stakeholders like bar owners, social organizations, and health experts, with a focus on curbing the proliferation of bars. The policy will also address low-alcohol beverages, weighing their potential to reduce drug consumption against the risk of encouraging underage alcohol use. For banking and SSC aspirants, this highlights governance challenges like corruption in regulatory bodies, policy formulation under public scrutiny, and inter-departmental coordination. RBI Grade B candidates should note the emphasis on financial integrity in excise enforcement, as such probes often intersect with economic offenses and regulatory oversight, a recurring theme in financial governance assessments.
Source: The Hindu
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