Establishments serving alcohol across Kerala face immediate license suspension if they fail to authenticate patrons' ages using Aadhaar credentials, Excise Minister M. Liju announced during an urgent regulatory briefing.
This decisive directive arrives in the direct aftermath of a devastating drunk-driving collision in Nedumbassery that resulted in three fatalities, sparking intense public outcry and drawing sharp scrutiny toward lax enforcement of age restrictions in local watering holes.
According to reports by The Hindu, regulatory authorities are moving swiftly to clamp down on nightlife venues that neglect legal age thresholds, with the state government signaling zero tolerance for establishments prioritizing profits over public safety.
Looking ahead, enforcement squads are expected to launch sweeping surprise inspections across municipal and rural districts, forcing hospitality operators to overhaul their entry protocols to ensure strict compliance with the new biometric verification mandates.