Bar licence to five-star category hotels triggers row
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday said his government had no role in the grant of bar licences to five new five-star hotels in the state and it was done by the Centre as part of its tourism policy.
Â
Answering questions of reporters, Chandy also said there was nothing unusual in it. “Kerala's liquor policy stated that bar hotels would not be allowed in hotels below five-star status," he said at a meet-the-press programme here.
Â
Sanctioning of bar licence to five star hotels is (done) by Centre. It is part of tourism policy. The state government has no role in it, Chandy said.Â
Â
He also made it clear that UDF would not dilute its policy, envisaging total prohibition in ten years.
Â
KPCC President V M Sudheeran, who has been at the forefront of the anti-liquor campaign, said UDF will not dilute its liquor policy.
Â
"The issue related to granting of licence will be examined," he said, adding that he was not aware of details as he was electioneering.
Â
The issue has triggered a row with CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan attacking the UDF government, saying it has exposed the government's "fake (liquor) policy" to dupe the public.