Thiruvananthapuram | Deputy Excise Commissioners in Keralam have been directed not to issue fresh liquor licences until the new policy for 2026-27 is framed, officials said on Sunday.

In a communication sent on Saturday to Deputy Excise Commissioners in all divisions, Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) R Jayasankar, who holds additional charge of Excise Commissioner, said the government had issued strict instructions against granting fresh licences in the present circumstances.

The communication referred to government directives dated November 3 and August 4, 2026, on the grant of licences for various businesses, including liquor sales.

After the new government assumed office in May 2026, it decided not to grant fresh licences on applications already submitted to the department, Jayasankar said. Applicants were instead asked to resubmit their applications after the new liquor policy is formulated, subject to revised conditions and legal provisions.

He has told officials not to initiate any proceedings on fresh licences until the policy is framed.

Jayasankar was given additional charge after the incumbent, Seeram Sambasiva Rao, was recently transferred from the post.

Excise Minister M Liju had expressed dissatisfaction after three bars in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts were granted licences under the previous LDF government’s liquor policy. He suspended two Deputy Excise Commissioners for granting those licences.

He had objected to a licence granted to a Chalakudy-based bakery chain to sell horti wine, which the previous government’s policy permitted.

He intervened to cancel the licence and transferred the official who had granted it.

Liju had announced that the UDF government’s new liquor policy would be presented by the end of this month.