Denotifying the State highways and relocating the shops are some of the strategies being considered by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) and the Excise Department to circumvent the Supreme Court order against the sale of liquor within 500 m of national and State highways.
Forced to close down several outlets, the Bevco has already begun to relocate some of its outlets. However, at many places local people have opposed such a proposal. At the same time, the State government has taken a decision to provide protection to legally run the retail outlets to tide over the financial crisis and crowding at shops.
A senior government functionary said the government did not want to lose a huge chunk of revenue and also cause inconvenience to the people buying liquor from retail outlets.
The number of liquor outlets in the city came down to two in Kozhikode city after the Supreme Court verdict on Friday. Ten of the 14 outlets have been closed in the district. Steps have been taken to relocate these shops at places without any hassles. Three buildings have been identified for the purpose.
However, the outlets will be set up only after studying the situation at each locality.
The Bevco had to face the ire of local residents when a shop was shifted from Pavamani Road to a residential area near the Civil Station.
Now, retail outlets function at Karikkamkulam, Mavoor Road, Thiruvambadi and Vadakara in the district.
The Supreme Court verdict also led to the closure of the 28 out of the total 34 wine and beer parlours in the district.
As many as 57 toddy shops out of the total of 190 would also have to be relocated shortly.
