No jail for alcohol statutory warning violators in films

Kerala government is planning to decriminalise the act of not displaying statutory warning in advertising or promotion of alcohol via films or advertisements.

According to an amendment to the Abkari Act that was presented to the Kerala legislative assembly, such actions will only result in fines. This amendment was proposed by the Excise Minister of Kerala, MB Rajesh, and following discussion, it was referred to the select committee.

In Kerala the penalty for failing to provide the mandatory warning that “consumption of alcohol is injurious to health” in movie scenes featuring alcohol or its consumption is a six-month jail sentence or a maximum fine of Rs. 10,000 or both. The amendment has proposed to remove the prison term. The penalty, nevertheless, has now been proposed to be increased to Rs. 50,000.

MB Rajesh, the Excise Minister of Kerala, has also informed that the toddy board will be constituted soon.