The New Indian Express 01.06.2017
Liquor shops: Local bodies to have no say
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Local bodies will no longer have a say in allowing liquor shops in
their limits. The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to issue an ordinance
amending the relevant clauses of the Kerala Municipalities Act and the
Kerala Panchayat Raj Act in this regard.
According to the
government, the amendments are being made to enable the uniform
implementation of the Abkari Act across the state and to end the
discrimination between existing liquor licencees and new applicants.
The
government move is intended to enable the Kerala State Beverages
Corporation to open outlets shut along highways following the Supreme
Court verdict in new locations. In many locations, the local bodies
concerned have also said a big ‘no’ to new bars and beer and wine
parlours. The state government plans to declare the new liquor policy by
June 30.
Bevco’s attempts to relocate the liquor shops had
triggered stiff opposition in local communities. Bevco was forced to
shift 179 of its 270 outlets following SC order. Even now, Bevco is
struggling to open 90 of the shut-down outlets in new locations.
This
is what the Municipalities Act says: ‘’A municipality may notify by
publication in the Gazette or in any other manner as may be prescribed
that no place within the municipal area shall be used for any one or
more of the purposes specified 24 (in the rules made in this behalf) or
for any other trade without licence and except in accordance with the
conditions specified therein and where the licence is for running
hostels, restaurants, eating houses, coffee houses, Abkari shop,
laundries, travel agency or barber saloons, the licence shall always
contain and be deemed to contain a condition that admission or service
therein shall be available to the public.’’
Cabinet Appointments
Raju
Narayana Swamy, who was removed as Agriculture Secretary last week
following an open feud with Biju Prabhakar, appointed Principal
Secretary of P&ARD.
Finance Resources Secretary Minhaj Alam given additional charge of Tax Department.
Housing Commissioner K N Satheesh made director of Industries and Commerce Dept.
Chengannoor sub-collector S Chandrasekhar appointed Thalassery sub collector.
Fisheries Dept Additional Chief Secretary James Varghese given
additional charge of Forest and Wildlife department and Tax (Excise)
department.
