No more five-star bars, Kerala to be dry state in 10 years: UDF manifesto
FollowVouching by its earlier commitment to turn Kerala a dry state in ten years, the United Democratic Front (UDF) manifesto released here on Wednesday promised to go forward with the liquor policy without any dilution.
Unveiling the manifesto, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy promised to take new measures to make its liquor policy foolproof. He also clarified that the government will not grant bar license to five-star hotels any more.
"Bar license will not be issued even if more three and four-star hotels got upgraded to the five-star category. More regulations will be introduced on classification of five-star hotels. The state government will impose certain restrictions for granting bar license to such hotels," Chandy said.
Bar license will not be issued even if more three and four-star hotels got upgraded to the five-star category: Oommen Chandy
The state government's recent decision to allow six new five-star bars as against the proclaimed liquor policy of reducing the availability of alcohol in the state had been widely criticized.
With the slogan "home for all, food for all, health for all," the UDF manifesto also promises low-interest home loans for the middle-class.
Following Tamil Nadu's 'Amma Canteen', the UDF offers to provide lunch at a cheap rate for the middle-class and the poor. Interest-free loans to farmers, special scheme for safety of women, health cover to all, life-saving drugs at a cheaper price and more thrust on education sector are other major highlights of the manifesto.
