RJD unhappy over brewery decision

T'puram: Govt's decision to sanction a brewery in Palakkad was not discussed upfront and the minister unilaterally made this decision without consulting LDF constituents, said RJD general secretary Varghese George. RJD, led by MV Shreyams Kumar, is a constituent of LDF.
While expressing strong dissatisfaction over the brewery approval, he said the new liquor policy should have been discussed within the front. It was wrong for the excise minister to take this decision alone without any prior discussion on the pros and cons of the project. Taking the proposal directly to the cabinet meeting was inappropriate, he said.
He said LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan, also a former excise minister, is well aware of the procedures and he should have taken the lead to discuss this matter first with LDF constituents.
George said RJD state committee will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the brewery row. Since the party does not have a minister, it could not express its opinion at the cabinet meeting, he added.
Earlier, CPI too opposed the nod for a new brewery. Then, the excise minister personally met CPI state secretary to present the matter.