Fury in Kannur: New Plastic Bottle Liquor Charge Sparks Widespread Protests and Public Outrage

A wave of furious protests has swept across Kannur district, Kerala, as residents and political factions vehemently oppose a new, controversial charge levied by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) on liquor sold in plastic bottles. This sudden imposition of an additional Rs 20 per bottle, ostensibly for environmental protection and bottle collection, has ignited widespread public outrage, with critics slamming it as an unjustified financial burden on ordinary citizens.

The contentious levy, implemented without clear prior public consultation, has been met with immediate and fierce resistance.

Many consumers, particularly daily wage earners who form a significant portion of liquor buyers, view this extra charge as a direct assault on their already strained budgets. For those purchasing multiple bottles, the cost quickly escalates, translating into a substantial increase in their expenditure for a product that is already taxed heavily.

Protesters argue that while the stated goal of environmental protection is laudable, the KSBC's approach is deeply flawed.

There is a palpable skepticism about how the collected funds will actually be utilized for environmental initiatives or to establish an effective bottle collection and recycling system. Many believe it is merely another hidden tax, designed to bolster state revenue at the expense of the common man, rather than a genuine effort towards ecological responsibility.

The outrage is not confined to the general public; major political parties have also joined the chorus of condemnation.

Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and other organizations have lambasted the KSBC's decision, demanding its immediate withdrawal. They point out the lack of transparency, the disproportionate impact on lower-income groups, and the absence of a viable mechanism for bottle collection, which would justify such a charge.

Demonstrations have taken various forms, from street protests and slogan shouting outside KSBC outlets to the burning of effigies symbolizing the controversial order.

Consumers have expressed their frustration directly, questioning the logic behind taxing the bottle without providing an accessible return or recycling scheme. The sentiment is clear: people feel exploited and unheard.

The situation highlights a growing rift between state-run corporations and the public they serve.

While environmental concerns are paramount, the method of addressing them through what is perceived as an arbitrary and poorly implemented charge has only served to fuel public discontent. The demand for the KSBC to reconsider and retract this charge is unanimous, with local communities and political bodies asserting that any such levy must be accompanied by robust infrastructure and clear benefits, not just an added cost.

As the protests continue to gain momentum, the pressure on the Kerala government and KSBC to address these grievances is intensifying.

The saga of the Rs 20 plastic bottle charge in Kannur stands as a stark reminder of how policy decisions, even those with ostensibly good intentions, can backfire dramatically if they fail to account for public sentiment and practical implementation challenges.