Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC /Bevco) is planning to move the court against the local bodies that deny it permission to shift the liquor outlets to new premises. According to sources, many local bodies were denying permission to liquor outlets in new locations citing flimsy reasons even after all distance parameters prescribed by law are met. This was affecting the implementation of the Supreme Court order to shift liquor outlets on highways. Hence the corporation planned to approach the court.
“In about 15 to 20 places, the local bodies are refusing to give permission at new locations identified by the corporation for shifting the outlets. Even as all distance norms are followed, the local bodies are doing it owing to political reasons. This has prompted the corporation to explore legal remedy,” said sources. Meanwhile, KSBC managing director H. Venkatesh said that the corporation would take a decision in this regard after waiting for the Supreme Court decisions on the review petitions filed by many states against the order to shift liquor outlets within 500 metres from highways.
“We are expecting some relaxation from the Supreme Court. If we get more time to shift the outlets, we will be able to convince the local bodies. Only as a last resort, we will move the court,” he said. Sources said that of the 270 outlets of KSBC, about 180 were within 500 metres from the highways and need to be shifted before March 31 in the wake of the Supreme Court order. So far only around 25 outlets could be shifted. The KSBC is now identifying new spots with the support of local political leaders.
