26 more liquor shops to shut in Phase 2

Thirteen outlets that were already lying closed over the last many months following court directives to shift from highways will also remain closed hereafter, taking the total number of outlets to be closed permanently to 39.

As per the government policy, 39 shops, 34 of Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) and five of Consumerfed, have to be closed down every year. This is ten percent of the 338 BEVCO outlets and 46 Consumerfed liquor outlets in the state as in September 2014.

Thirteen shops were closed down following court directives for issues like proximity to highways during the last one year.

This included twelve of BEVCO and one of Consumerfed. Hence, the government is now planning to close down only 26 more by this October 2.

These include 22 of BEVCO and four of Consumerfed. According to sources, the government will finalise the list of the shops to be closed by Wednesday. Since October 1 and 2 are dry days, the last working day of the 26 shops would be Wednesday.

Though there was a suggestion to close down 39 shops apart from the 13 that are already lying closed, the government is learnt to have turned it down.

At present, there are 332 retail liquor outlets - 292 of BEVCO and 40 of Consumerfed. It will come down to 306 (270 of BEVCO and 36 of Consumerfed) with the closure of 26 more by tomorrow.

Though some self-service counters were opened over the last few months, those were by converting the existing shops, excise department sources said.