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LDF to reverse liquor policy, Allow 35 four-star bars in Kerala

  • Tourism Department had sought relaxation in liquor policy
  • Proposal was made at CPM state secretariat meeting
  • The meet also proposed to cut down the license fee for liquor parties and promote toddy shops
LDF liquor policy  license to four star bars

With just one month left for the announcement of new liquor, the LDF government has come out with a proposal to reopen 35 four-star bars located in major tourist destinations in the state. The government is also mulling to scrap the decision of previous UDF government to shut down 10% liquor outlets annually. 
 

The proposals were made at the CPM state secretariat meeting ahead of LDF's liquor policy which is to be announced before April 1. New liquor policy is one of the main promises in the election manifesto of the Left Front. 
 

Also read: Kerala Governor hints at policy change on liquor
 

The new policy is likely to stress on relaxing the norms for tourist destinations so that liquor will be made available for travellers. The move comes in the wake of the detailed report of Tourism Department which sought relaxation in availability and sale of liquor in major tourist destinations. The department had sought permission to sell liquor through bars located near tourist spots. 
 

There are reports that the ruling party is of the opinion that a relaxed liquor policy is urgently needed to save tourism sector which had plunged into deep crisis following the closure of liquor outlets and bars. Tourism Department had also conveyed their concern about heavy losses and needed to alter the policy. 
 

Tourism Department believes that Kerala lost its sheen as a major destination for holding conventions, conferences and meetings owing to lack of availability of liquor. Meetings Incentive, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) Tourism segment is the worst hit owing to new liquor policy. Organisers of such events are now heading for Goa and Rajasthan, and even neighbouring countries like Thailand and Srilanka were such facilities are being offered to visitors. 
 

The ruling Front is also planning to introduce permits or special cards to make liquor available in tourism destinations. They are also looking into the possibility of issuing one-day liquor licenses to venues where international conferences and meetings are being held. 
 

The government had already cancelled UDF policy to shut down 10% liquor outlets last year. It is also reported that the CPM meet also proposed to cut down the license fee for liquor parties and promote toddy shops. 
 

UDF had closed down 700 bars as part of its liquor policy, and only five-star category bars are allowed to sell foreign liquor in the state. The liquor policy of the UDF envisaged to make the state liquor free by 2023. 
 

The stance of the LDF is to promote abstinence from liquor and not prohibition. 

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