The Kerala government has reduced the distance between liquor bars in hotels with Four Star and above rating and places of worship and educational institutions from 200 metres to 50 metres.
The government has given effect to this by amending the excise rules which, Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan told reporters in Kozhikode, was the outcome of a recommendation to that effect made by the Excise Commissioner, citing the difficulties being experienced by hotels, particularly in tourist destinations.
The government decision would benefit Four Star, Five Star and Heritage hotels. The distance between bars and places of work and educational institutions was fixed at 200 metres by the last United Democratic Front (UDF) government, bringing it down from the earlier level.
Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh received several representations from the hotel industry on the distance issue and he submitted them to the Excise Minister seeking a political decision on their hoteliers' plea. The Minister took the issue to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) State committee and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for guidance and decision.
The order amending the excise rules was issued on Tuesday based on the decision taken at their level.