The Excise Department has directed officials across divisions not to process new licence applications, following the state government’s decision to defer approvals until revised policy conditions are announced
The Kerala government has put fresh liquor licence approvals on hold until its new liquor policy for 2026-27 is finalised, directing excise officials across the state not to process new applications in the interim.
The directive was issued through a communication dated Saturday by Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) R Jayasankar, who is holding additional charge as Excise Commissioner. Addressing Deputy Excise Commissioners across all divisions, he referred to the government’s instructions against granting fresh licences under the prevailing circumstances.
The communication cited government directives issued on 3 November and 4 August, 2026, concerning the grant of licences for various businesses, including liquor sales.
Jayasankar said that after the new government assumed office in May 2026, it had decided not to grant fresh licences against applications already submitted to the department. Applicants were instead asked to file fresh applications after the new liquor policy was formulated, subject to revised conditions and applicable legal provisions.
He also instructed officials not to initiate any proceedings related to fresh liquor licences until the policy is finalised.
Jayasankar was given additional charge of the Excise Commissioner’s office following the recent transfer of incumbent Seeram Sambasiva Rao.
The decision follows objections raised by Excise Minister M Liju over the grant of licences to three bars in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts under the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s liquor policy. The minister suspended two Deputy Excise Commissioners over their role in issuing the licences.
Liju had also objected to a licence granted to a bakery chain based in Chalakudy to sell horti wine, which was permitted under the previous government’s liquor policy. The minister intervened to cancel the licence and transferred the official who had approved it.
Earlier, Liju had announced that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s new liquor policy would be presented by the end of November. The latest directive keeps fresh licence approvals suspended until the revised policy and its conditions are formally announced.
