Kerala: Liquor only in 5-star hotels

Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said , “Ten per cent of beverages outlets will be closed down every year from next year onwards. The UDF policy is to bring in total prohibition in a phased manner within 10 years”

Apart from the first day of every month, Sunday will be a dry day adding to existing 52 dry days. Aiming at total prohibition, the two-hour-long meeting of all the UDF allies held at Cliff House under the chairmanship of the CM decided not to issue new licenses to three and four-star hotels

Furthermore CM Chandy said. “The programme to rehabilitate the bar staff and the anti-liquor campaign will be known as Punarjani 2030 which will pave the way for all the 333 lakh Malayalis to join hands with the initiative. These decisions will come into effect from the day the government issues the order in the light of today’s UDF meeting.”

Displeased by the impasse of the 418 substandard bars shut down following a court order, this announcement at the UDF meeting brought instant relief to party leaders.