Processes of implementing liquor policy begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has started the process of implementing the amended liquor policy, State Excise Minister K Babu said today.

As per the policy, inspection of hygienic condition of 418 bars, licences of which were not renewed on March 31, would be carried out to certify whether they were fit enough to run beer and wine parlours, Babu told reporters here.

The policy had stated that only 'hygiene' bars would be allowed to convert as beer and wine parlours.

Babu refuted the allegation of a bar owner that Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association had paid money to three Congress ministers in the state.

"Instead of repeating the charges, he should come out with evidence. He should tell to whom and where the amount was paid," Babu said, adding, "this is a type of blackmailing which is not good."

Bar Owners Association Working President Biju Ramesh, who levelled bribe charge against State Finance Minister K M Mani on the bar issue, had also alleged that three Congress ministers were also given money.