The Kerala government on Wednesday decided not to renew the licences of bars, which were short on quality parameters. Accordingly, 418 foreign liquor counters across the state have been closed with effect from April 1.
A Cabinet meet took this key decision, which will have a huge impact on the hotel business and on the state revenues.
The licences of these bars expired on March 31, and accordingly, they would not have permission to function until fresh orders are issued.
The Cabinet took this decision in the light of Lok Sabha election as renewal of licence would hamper the prospects of the United Democratic Front (UDF). The government's decision is on a temporary basis and was mainly focused on political counts. The UDF has the opinion that if bar licences are renewed before the election, it may have a counter effect in the elections.
The Catholic Church of the state strongly criticised the government's foreign liquor policy, and the anti-alcoholic committee of the Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC) even threatened there would be a serious setback to the UDF in the election if they allowed to function the bars, which do not have necessary quality standards.
The committee even said they would give a call to vote against the UDF candidates.
Kerala has 753 bars in all categories and the government has also decided to renew the licences of the remaining 335 bars. These bars fall under the two star plus and heritage categories.
The meeting also approved the order of the Excise Commissioner to cancel the licences of 14 bars under these categories.
The government also appointed secretary (taxes) to submit a report on the order of the Supreme Court in the case of the foreign liquor policy of the state government.
