{
  "id": 15399616,
  "title": "Excise department order allowing bakery to stock, sell hortiwine lands UDF government in controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/excise-department-order-allowing-bakery-to-stock-sell-hortiwine-lands",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-18T11:23:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/excise-department-order-allowing-bakery-to-stock-sell-hortiwine-lands-udf-government-in-controversy/article71599592.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government faced controversy over an Excise Department order that allowed a bakery in Chalakudy, Thrissur, to stock and sell hortiwine, a 15% proof alcoholic beverage made from non-food-grain agricultural produce. This decision drew criticism as it raised concerns about unregulated underage drinking and came at a time when the government was revising Kerala's liquor policy. Excise Minister M. Liju later revoked the license and requested a report from the Excise Commissioner. The government claimed the order was in line with existing rules but acknowledged it infringed on the government's policy-making authority, which it deemed a serious issue. Former Excise Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) member M.B. Rajesh termed the UDF's reaction as a political move to gain public support and a reflection of the party's administrative shortcomings. Rajesh noted that the Kerala Small Scale Winery Rules, enacted in 2022, legalized hortiwine production to benefit farmers, particularly those growing jackfruit, banana, pineapple, mango, and tender coconut. However, the LDF did not issue any licenses for the sale of hortiwine to non-liquor retail outlets due to social sensitivities. Earlier this year, in June 2026, the UDF government also controversially proposed the sale of low-proof starter drinks, or alcopops, which drew criticism from religious groups and Muslim social organizations.",
  "summary": "Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan flagged the “unconsulted” order as Excise Minister M. Liju revoked the licence, while the CPI(M)’s M.B. Rajesh called the government’s reversal “a political stunt”",
  "key_points": [
    "Excise Department permits bakery to stock, sell hortiwine",
    "Controversy arises over underage drinking concerns",
    "Excise Minister revokes license, demands report"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}