Govt paved way for corruption in liquor sector: Ramesh

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress functionary Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the state govt paved way for corruption in the liquor sector. He released a gazette notification issued by the govt for establishing more liquor outlets in 74 locations to substantiate his claims.
"Following the illegal granting of a distillery to a company called Oasis in Palakkad, govt has now paved the way for another major corruption by approving 74 beer and wine shops without clear guidelines. Through an unusual notification, govt issued an order allowing 74 new wine parlours in various tourist centres in the state. The permission for these 74 new beer and wine shops was given in the name of tourism development," Chennithala said.
"However, govt has not disclosed the criteria for granting these licences or the qualifications of the applicants. There is a conspiracy to distribute these newly approved beer parlours to favoured bar owners. With only one and a half years left in its term, this is part of a strategy by the CPM to generate substantial funds," he said.
Through this, the govt is paving way for corruption involving crores of rupees, he said. "While the govt struggles to provide a clear answer regarding the distillery approval, it has sown the seeds for the next major corruption targeting the liquor market. This cannot be accepted," Chennithala said.
Earlier, he alleged in the assembly that there was corruption behind granting permission to a liquor manufacturing company in Ellapully. The permission was given in a highly secretive manner to a company favoured by the chief minister, without the knowledge of the LDF.
He sought a response from the Left front activists who protested at Plachimada. "How was permission granted to a company requiring five lakh litres of water daily? This is strange when the same govt is not providing water for the production of Jawan liquor and also to Malabar Distilleries," he said.