Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that the liquor policy of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government will not be diluted at any cost.
He was responding to queries from journalists after his meeting with All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulema general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar at Karanthur here on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister said that the UDF, in fact, was prepared to bring changes to the existing liquor policy to make it more stringent. This was to prevent five star hotels securing bar licences in the present situation. Now a few five hotels had acquired bar licence on account of the existing liquor policy. But there was no need for any apprehension, Mr. Chandy added.
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The opposition parties particularly the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front had flayed the UDF government for granting liquor licence to six five star hotels. As of now the State government's policy allowed only five star hotels to have bars. Now the total number of bars in the State has risen to 29.
The Sunni leader opined that he approved prohibition in a phased manner in the State. He had clear stand on the Assembly polls and that he did not want to disclose that in public.
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Our Reporter adds from Malappuram: Addressing a meet-the-press at the Malappuram Press Club on Tuesday, Mr. Chandy alleged that the LDF was confusing the people about the liquor policy.
“The LDF is confused about the liquor policy. They talk of prohibition. That’s not the government’s policy.” He said his government had not tried to shift blame on anyone for any project. “We never waited for anyone, including the Centre, for implementing our decisions.” The CPI(M) was following a negative policy, which would be harmful for the State, he said.
The BJP will not get any acceptance in Kerala, he said.
Chief Minister
says LDF is confusing people about the liquor policy