The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday came out against the new liquor policy alleging that it was a favour doled out to bar owners as part of an unholy agreement between them and the LDF.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the new policy would result in the free flow of liquor since its operative part was to reopen all bars as per requirement.
Issue of narcotics
Questioning Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s contention that the UDF government’s liquor policy was a failure since it led to proliferation of narcotics, Mr. Chennithala said the figures the government quoted were exaggerated to create ground for opening of bars.
Contradictory
He said the government’s liquor policy was contradictory since it proposed to push for abstinence, while at the same time promising to make liquor freely available. “The LDF convener’s statement that the coalition’s aim was not to curb the availability of liquor, but reduce its necessity was strange. The Chief Minister should explain how his government proposed to achieve this,” Mr. Chennithala said.
He also criticised the Cabinet’s decision to relax the curbs on opening and closing time of bars and to allow more outlets 500 metres from national and State highways in the same taluk to provide jobs to bar workers. The decision to promote toddy in four and five star hotels was curious, he said.
‘Marketing, the aim’
Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty said the LDF government did not even bother to consider the opinion of civil society organisations opposing the move. The government’s aim was neither abstinence nor prohibition, but mere marketing of liquor giving rich dividends to the bar owners.
The UDF high power committee will meet on Friday and formulate an action plan against the policy.
