Kerala High court today came down on the state government for deviating from the Abkari policy (Excise policy) in the matter of granting new licenses.
Criticising the government, a division bench comprising Justice Harun-Al Rashid and Justice Anil K Narendran orally observed that if the policy of government was to reduce consumption of liquor, why should they grant new licenses.
The bench asked the government to inform its stand on the Abkari Policy by July 10, allowing its plea for time.
The observations were made on a batch of appeals challenging a single judge's order refusing to intervene in the government's order not to renew the license of 418 bar hotels in the state.
So far, the government has not issued any fresh licences for this financial year.
