Thiruvananthapuram: The IT industry has expressed serious concern over the state government’s new liquor policy stating that no IT company of consequence will plan to set up its facilities in a state which has such archaic regulations.
In a letter sent to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the Group of Technology Companies, Kerala (GTech) also suggested that the opening hours of all public bars, including those in five-star hotels, could be limited from 5 p.m. to midnight on all days.
Such steps could drastically reduce the availability and consumption of liquor, said the letter.
According to the letter sent by GTech chairman V.K. Mathews and vice-chairman Alexander Varghese, the proposed plan for total prohibition will send out a wrong signal to the world that Kerala is a grossly under-developed state. No major IT company will plan to set up its facilities in such a state.
It will have its repercussions in the tourism and hospitality sectors also as corporate conferences are a major source of revenue for them.
The GTech also suggested that lifestyle changes are best brought about and sustained by education and encouragement and not by imposing restrictions.
Moreover, prohibition could even result in corruption, illegal business leading to illicit liquor and associated perils of death and total disabilities, said the letter, a copy of which was sent to IT Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty also.
