Kerala govt dilutes liquor policy

After the cabinet meeting during which the decision was taken, Chandy told reporters that the spirit of the policy — to bring down liquor consumption — remained intact, despite a climbdown from his earlier stand.

The decision to shut now operating 312 bars in the non-five-star category would remain unchanged. However, a lot depends on the court’s decision. Even if the decision is implemented, these bars could still sell beer and wine.

Chandy said the order for Sundays as dry days was dropped in view of 60 per cent increase in the retail sale of liquor on Saturdays. Besides, it had affected the tourism industry as several weekend conferences have been shifted out of Kerala.

The change in the liquor policy was also against the backdrop of suicide by 10 bar hotel workers since August, said Chandy.

The tourism and labour departments had reported to the government that the new liquor policy led to loss in tourism sector and put at stake jobs of hundreds of hotel employees.

The CM justified the decision to allow bars to emerge as beer and wine parlours, saying that the new liquor policy was silent on that sector. He said a commission had earlier recommended promoting beer and toddy, which have less alcohol content.

A major factor that forced the government to water down its alcohol policy was the charges levelled against Finance Minister K M Mani that he had taken a bribe of Rs 1 crore to renew liquor licence. Bar hotel owners had taken revenge on Mani, who had stood with the Catholic Church in demand for total prohibition after accepting election fund. Now, Mani is facing a Vigilance probe.

The allegation had rattled the UDF government as bar hotel owners upped the ante saying that they had given Rs 20 crore to various ruling front leaders.