Kerala halts fresh liquor licences until the 2026-27 policy is framed

Deputy Excise Commissioners in Kerala have been directed not to issue fresh liquor licences until the new policy for <b>2026-27</b> is framed, officials said on Sunday. Additional Excise Commissioner <b>R Jayasankar</b> communicated strict government instructions to all divisions, pausing current applications and advising applicants to resubmit later. The decision follows the new government assuming office in May 2026. Excise Minister <b>M Liju</b> had previously expressed dissatisfaction and suspended two Deputy Excise Commissioners after three bars received licences under the previous LDF government's policy. The minister also intervened to cancel a horti wine licence granted to a bakery chain. The new UDF government liquor policy is scheduled to be presented by the end of this month.