Kozhikode: Excise minister T.P. Ramakrishnan on Monday said it was impossible to implement the Supreme Court directive to shift liquor outlets along the highways. "Or else the state must be given more time to implement," he told reporters here. "Otherwise it is an impractical verdict." He said the government would be under tremendous pressure as people were protesting against the Kerala State Beverages Corporation opening new outlets in residential areas.
"The order has been issued to shift them before April, and the KSBC itself has more than 100 stores to shift," he said. "Hence we have approached the apex court seeking more time." The petition submitted is still to have clarity on whether toddy, wine and beer would include in the definition of a liquor shop. "We don’t agree with the statement that the decision of SC was just to support five-star hotels in the country. After we took over, no liquor shop has been closed down as this government's mission is not to ban alcohol but to promote abstinence," he said.
