Kerala in a fix: Where to relocate highway liquor shops?
Synopsis
Half of Kerala's beer and wine shops are located next to state highways. After the SC ban, the state government is issuing no objection certificates for the relocation of Bevco outlets. Local bodies are opposing the opening of new outlets.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the hotel owners are finding it difficult to open a new beer and wine parlours in the state owing to the stiff resistance from the local bodies. The panchayats of various districts including tourists destinations like Poovar are opposing the issuance of no objection certificate (NoC) to open new liquor shops including Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) outlets.
This resistance will create more difficulties and fractions for the LDF that is working on devising the new Abkari policy. According to a Hindu report, localised hartal was also organised to show displease over the issuance of NoC to open new liquor parlours.
In the recent past, Kerala and its equation with liquor have been a topic of discussion. Last year, the ruling UDF made it clear that if their again come to power within 10 years liquor will be banned in the state that is one of the top states in India in consuming foreign and country-made alcohol.
Last year, when Supreme Court of India directed to shut down all liquor shops located along the national and state highways by April 1, 2017, the Legal Secretary of the state advised the state government that half the liquor shops in the state will be closed due to this direction. As a result of the shutdown, the government will lose considerable revenue generated by the liquor parlours.
In Kerala, the state has a monopoly over the liquor market, and Bevco outlets are the sellers of alcohol in the state. Many of these shops are located along with the state highways which will be moved to a different location after the SC mandate.
However, the locals are resisting the shifting of Bevco outlets within the interiors of the state. At Vembayam in Thiruvananthapuram, locals are opposing Bevco’s efforts to relocate near a swimming complex. The locals are claiming that the peace of the area will be disturbed due to the opening of the liquor outlet.
On the other hand, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) sources are claiming that the party has instructed their elected representatives in the local bodies to oppose the NoC issued to the liquor shops.
The ruling government will have a tough time navigating through these various conditions to formulate the new abkari policy. Also, these latest developments will hit hard on the state government exchequer.