The Congress leadership in the State has given a call for holding demonstrations in front of the Secretariat and the district Collectorates on Monday in protest against the ‘liberalised liquor policy’ of the Left Democratic Front government.
The Secretariat dharna will be inaugurated by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, while Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala will inaugurate the protest in Kottayam.
Recently, the State government had announced its decision to relax the distance limit for setting up bars near the education institutions and places of worship. The Congress, however, deferred its protest since its leaders felt that it would be inappropriate to hold agitations during Onam holidays and festivities. The party said in a statement here that no State government had dared to permit liquor sale in front of educational institutions and places of worship.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government had taken the controversial decisions to fulfil its obligations to the liquor lobby for funding elections. The statement, issued by KPCC general secretary Thampanoor Ravi, alleged that corruption had prompted the government to take the decision.
Ration cards
The State government had miserably failed to take pro-active steps to control price rise during the Onam festival season and distribute ration through the public distribution system to eligible people. It had not completed the distribution of new ration cards. The ones that were distributed were of no use because the beneficiaries were unable to utilise them owing to the mistakes that have cropped up.
The party would highlight these issues during the course of its agitation, he said.
