Kerala likely to withdraw petition on beer and wine

Kochi: The state government may withdraw the petition filed by it before the apex court seeking to exempt beer and wine from the liquor category.  Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan claimed that the state  was contemplating to withdraw the case. He  was in Kochi to distribute the awards for the students under the Kerala Abkari Workers Welfare Fund. The state had filed a petition against the latest apex court order which asked the state government to restrain the sale of liquor along the state and national highways.

The petition became controversial and pursuant to this the state sought the legal opinion from the advocate- general. The minister clarified that the state has no plans to challenge  the court order but clarity was  needed in the matter. The apex court while directing the closure of the beverages outlets along the highway pointed out that the sale of liquor is banned.   The  other day, the state  had denied the licence for a five-star hotel in Thiruvanathapuram.