The ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) has decided to tighten its liquor policy and not to issue bar licences to three-star and four-star hotels that secure five-star status from the Central government.
Briefing reporters after the release of the UDF manifesto here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that three star and four star hotels that upgrade to five-star status would not be given bar licences. The State government would also put in place stringent norms for granting licences to even those hotels that are given five-star status under the normal course. The liquor policy of the UDF government would be beyond reproach, he said.
Mr. Chandy said the government would not also permit five star hotels to operate additional counters selling hard liquor at cheaper rates.
Chipping in, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran said nobody would be permitted to misuse the present norms. The norms to be put in place to check liquor consumption would be decided through collective discussions.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikkutty said his party is happy with the clarity that has been brought into the UDF's liquor policy.
