With the Supreme Court endorsing the new liquor policy of the Kerala government, bars will be allowed to operate only at 27 five-star hotel properties in the State.

This means that at least five of the 14 districts – Kannur, Wayanad, Thrissur, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta – will not feature a single one.

Apart from this, 33 club properties will be licensed to serve liquor while 806 beer and wine parlours will be allowed to operate in the State.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision is ‘targeted against none’.

He requested both owners of bars and their employees not to draw any hasty conclusions in this connection.

Chandy expressed satisfaction over the fact that that the apex court has concurred fully with the spirit and intent of the State government, while formulating a liquor policy aimed at phased-out prohibition.

Excise Minister K Bau too has expressed happiness and relief over the court’s endorsing of the liquor policy.

Well thought-out

The apex court has taken a well-thought-out decision on a matter that had been challenged vigorously and repeatedly at various courts, the minister said.

The sole intention was to do its bit to liberate the public, especially the impressionable young, from the vice-like grip exerted by the liquor vends in the State.

The endorsement of the liquor policy will help bring some semblance of order into the lives of the binge-prone people, reduce consumption levels, and even improve law and order, he hoped.

The State government will take into confidence all sections of people and team up with them to conduct awareness campaigns. According to VM Sudheeran, president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, the Supreme Court had taken a historic decision while upholding the State’s liquor policy.

‘Laudable’

All sections of the public that cared for the future of the State will welcome the decision, which is laudable coming as it does from a ‘responsible’ government and is a trend setter for peers.

The decision was part of its overall strategy to cut down on the access to and reduce the consumption of liquor, Sudheeran said.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala too welcomed the Supreme Court decision saying it is aimed at the overall social welfare.

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