Thiruvananthapuram: The crucial meetings of LDF will begin today to discuss the proposed liquor policy to be announced by the government before June 30. The CPI state executive will meet on Tuesday to discuss the proposals. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran has made it clear that the LDF Government would not go ahead with the UDF’s abkari policy. The LDF had categorically stated in the election manifesto that it would adopt policy of temperance rather than prohibition. According to the CPI the LDF had secured massive mandate from the people and a pragmatic liquor policy was also one of the factors.
Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan had also hinted at these changes. “Our liquor policy will consider all these issues. It will be a reiteration of what we promised in our election manifesto. We are for temperance and not prohibition,” he said last week. The CPI meeting will be followed by CPM meeting and the main discussion on the liquor policy would be held on at the LDF state committee meeting to be held on January 8.
Some of the proposals being considered include opening of four star bars, giving relaxation for operating bars in tourist centres, reopening the shut three star and four star bars which comply with the prescribed quality standards and granting of beer and wine license to one star and two star bar hotels. There will be emphasis on promoting toddy sector. The LDF meeting is taking place in the backdrop of strong opposition from the KCBC.
