Kerala to close most hotel bars

The decision would see the State limiting bar licences to the dozen or so five star hotels beginning April, 2015, foregoing a major portion of Rs. 9,000 crore in annual revenue.

August 22, 2014 10:15 am | Updated 10:15 am IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a decision with major socio-economic implications, the Kerala government decided on Thursday to shut down 730 bars below the five-star category. However, toddy shops, wine and beer parlours will remain open. A meeting of the United Democratic Front’s high-power committee also decided to declare Sundays as ‘dry’ days.

The decision would see the State limiting bar licences to the dozen or so five star hotels beginning April, 2015, foregoing a major portion of Rs. 9,000 crore in annual revenue.

The Oommen Chandy-led government’s move has effectively drawn curtains on the fate of 418 bars closed down in April for poor upkeep. The two-hour-long meeting, which bore hints of one-upmanship within the Congress leadership, decided to take legal opinion to shut down 312 remaining bars. The government is also slated to bring down the retail outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation by 10 per cent every year.

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