Bevco seeks government help to make room for outlets in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram: As protests mount across the state against liquor outlets and even a group of students shutting one in the state capital, the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) has approached the government seeking police protection and assistance of local bodies in identifying new locations for liquor outlets. In the wake of the Supreme Court directive to shift liquor shops along highways, about 180 BEVCO outlets of KSBC need to be moved.
"So far we have relocated around 25, and everywhere we are facing stiff local resistance. Hence we have sought government intervention as 150 more need to be shifted by March to meet the SC directive," said KSBC managing director H. Venkatesh. Over 200 students of the Holy Angels' ISC School at Nanthencode near Palayam here demonstrated before a new BEVCO outlet along the Nanthencode - Nalanda road on Thursday morning. The one at Bakery Junction was moved here on Tuesday.
After protests, the city corporation issued a closure notice to the outlet. Though there was an attempt to open the shop by evening, it faced stiff resistance from locals. "We were really in the dark about the move to open a shop near our school. It really caused serious safety concerns to out students. Hence we allowed a demonstration with the support of residents," said principal Sister Susy G. Similar protests at new locations are happening across the state forcing the KSBC to approach the government.
In a letter sent to the government, the KSBC MD urged district administrations and local bodies to help the corporation in identifying the new spots for relocating the shops on highways. Mr Venkatesh said all the new spots were identified after following all distance norms prescribed by the Abkari Act. "We have to meet the court deadline and we are finding it difficult to get an alternative location," he said. Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan directed officials to identify new spots for relocating outlets after consulting people’s representatives and avoid confrontations.
