THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president M.M. Hassan on Monday said his party will speak in favour of bringing down liquor sales at the proposed all-party meeting to be convened by the government. At a meet the press programme organised by Kesari Memorial Journalist Trust here, the KPCC president said that bringing down the availability of liquor was more important than revenue fall for the state. The Congress is committed to the UDF liquor policy which was aimed at enforcing phased prohibition in the state.
He lamented the LDF government for raising a hue and cry over the fall in abkari revenue because of Supreme Court verdict and trying to look for loopholes. The KPCC president said that the government should immediately implement the apex court decision in true letter and spirit. Mr Hassan said the government was dilly dallying on the issue for obvious reasons. The attempt to relocate in areas inhabited by people would have far reaching consequences, he added.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala came down heavily on the government for trying to dodge apex court order on liquor vends along the national and state highways. He said the government move to open liquor vends in new areas without taking the respective local bodies into confidence was condemnable. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the new liquor policy would be finalised after factoring in the Supreme Court verdict. He said the LDF committee will meet soon to find a solution.
