Kerala to shut down 730 bars

The government will not restore licences of the 418 closed bars and, after obtaining legal advice, ask the 312 bars that are now open to shut down.

In a momentous decision that has major socio-economic implications, the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala has decided to shut down 730 two, three, and four-star bars, go in for more ‘dry’ days, and bring down the retail outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) by 10 per cent every year.

The UDF high-power committee, the policy planning body of the ruling alliance, took the decision at its two-hour meeting here on Thursday evening, bringing the curtain down on what was increasingly becoming an acrimonious spat among Congress leaders on the question of restoring licences of 418 bars that had been closed down in April owing to their poor upkeep.

The decision, which also bore clear hints of political one-upmanship among those ranged behind Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V.M. Sudheeran and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, would see the State limiting bar licences to the dozen or so five-star hotels in the State beginning April, 2015, foregoing a major portion of close to Rs.9,000 crore in revenue annually.

The government will not restore licences of the 418 closed bars and, after obtaining legal advice, ask the 312 bars that are now open to shut down.

All Sundays will be observed as ‘dry’ days. This would be in addition to the ‘dry’ days already in force.

Toddy shops and wine and beer parlours would, however, remain outside the curbs, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said after the meeting.

The government, Mr. Chandy said, would set apart one per cent of Bevco’s revenue every year to create awareness of the ill effects of liquor. The government will protect the toddy industry, but toddy shops would be sanctioned only based on the number of coconut palms and workers’ strength. Workers of bars that are to be closed down would be supported to start self-employment initiatives. Bevco staff who lose employment would also be rehabilitated. “The government’s goal is liquor-free Kerala,” he said.

Anti-liquor campaigners across the State, notably heads of major Church denominations, welcomed the decision, but Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said it was nothing but a ‘political gimmick.’ The UDF decision was only intended to outsmart Mr. Sudheeran who had taken a strong position against reopening the 418 closed bars. The decision also ran counter to the stand that the government had taken before the Kerala High Court so far, he added.