Section of ministers warned that the policy would pave the way for illicit liquor busines
Anti-liquor front activists have now mounted pressure on the Government to close down the existing 120-odd beer and wine parlours and 33 clubs with liquor licences. (Photo: DC)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to take a call on beer, wine parlours and clubs with liquor licences after holding detailed discussions within the UDF even as a section of ministers expressed reservations over the haste with which phased prohibition was announced. After the phased prohibition, anti-liquor front activists have now mounted pressure on the Government to close down the existing 120-odd beer and wine parlours and 33 clubs with liquor licences.
At the Cabinet meeting which also ratified the government order on new abkari policy, there was general criticism that the Government should not have rushed into the phased prohibition policy.
Some of the ministers said that prohibition had been tried out in various parts of the world, to little success. It was tried out in the country as well. But this had failed miserably. They pointed out that though the UDF manifesto had promised total prohibition, it had not clearly spelt out how and when it would be achieved.
A section of ministers warned that the policy would pave the way for illicit liquor business and a new mafia culture which would adversely affect youth who could be exploited by the bootlegging mafia. Interestingly, many ministers who took a strong stand in public against bars, spoke about the financial and social implications of phased prohibition during the Cabinet meet.
At one stage, an irked Excise Minister K.Babu, even pointed out that Finance Minister K.M.Mani used to call him and ask why bars were staying shut. The finance minister seemed quite concerned about the loss to exchequer which is roughly estimated to be Rs 7,500 crore.
The Excise Minister even expressed surprise over the manner in which some of his colleagues were taking double standard on the bar issue. Though Muslim League ministers stuck to their earlier decision to shut down bars, they pointed out that the Government should have also thought about the practical side.
Labour Minister Shibu Baby John said that his conscience would not allow him to fully back the new policy. In fact none of the ministers justified the new policy and many admitted that Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy was driven to the wall on the issue.
Despite expressing concern and doubt about the fallout of the new abkari policy, none of the ministers opposed it. Many admitted that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had been driven to the wall on the issue. Sources said Chief Secretary E K Bharat Bhushan cautioned a ban on beer and wine parlours would hit the tourism and IT industry badly. He cited the example of Gujarat which lagged behind other states in the IT sector.
The Chief Secretary also warned that such a decision could also create law and order issues. It may be recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi was forced to exempt Special Economic Zones from prohibition. The step was taken as many investors were showing little interest in SEZs.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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