Thiruvananthapuram: Excise Minister T. P. Ramakrishnan has alleged that the liquor scam was the result of Opposition's confused thinking. "The Opposition wants to save its face as its protest at the entrance of the Assembly has turned out to be a damp squib," he told reporters.
Congress MLA Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan had alleged earlier that the cabinet had not discussed the sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and wine through bars and beer parlours. Mr Ramakrishnan said the Opposition was spreading false propaganda.
"The brewery-distillery controversy raised by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala had boomeranged," he said.
Earlier, the sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquorand wine was through Beverages Corporation outlets. But later when tender proceedings were being initiated and sale was about to be launched, the LDF government decided to grant licence to bars and beer parlours as well.
This decision was taken as per the request of the bar owners. Excise commissioner Rishiraj Singh had passed an order granting permission to sell Indian Made Foreign LiquorL and wine through beer parlours and bars.
Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan alleged that there was corruption in granting licences to start new bars. However, Mr Ramakrishnan clarified that the 2018 -19 budget presented by Finance Minister T. M. Thomas Isaac had included in the 253rd paragraph that the sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and wine through bars and beer parlours will be started.
"The state government was incurring losses due to excise duty. In fact, in the finance Bill of 2018, this was mentioned and the subject committee of the Assembly too had approved it. Then the Opposition had not objected to it," he added.
