Kudumbasree to join drive against illegal liquor sale

Kerala's women neighbourhood network 'Kudumbasree' is gearing upto join the drive against the sale and distribution of illegal liquor in the state.
The mission is considering a plan in this regard in the wake of complaints of sale of illegal liquor after the state government's recent decision not to renew the licenses of around 400 bars that failed to maintain desirable standards.
"We are considering a plan in this regard but are yet to take a final decision. We can conduct an audit about the presence of illegal liquor outlets in each locality as part of our existing crime mapping project," Kudumbasree Executive Director K B Valsala Kumari told PTI.

Under the 'crime mapping' programme, Kudumbasree personnel prepared maps of selected panchayats and municipalities using different colours, based on the crime rate there.
A top Kudumbasree official said that the mission, which has a strong volunteer base at the grassroot level, could help other agencies involved in the anti-illegal liquor drive if adequate funds are provided.
"The illegal liquor sale can also be tracked as part of the crime mapping programme. But it can materialise only if more funds are granted," she said.
The agency could ensure better monitoring in both rural and urban areas because of the wide presence of its units across the state, she added.

Kudumbasree, which has made its presence felt in all major sectors, ranging from farming and food processing to the IT business, has around 40 lakh women members.