“If bar timings are imposed
here, it will be a death knell for the tourism industry” is the view of a leading
resort owner from Kovalam. This means the revenue in tune with Rs.6,000 crore
to the state government by way of taxes is totally from liquor tourism. The inquiry of Kerala High Court about
prohibiting foreign liquor in bars and hotels before 5pm by September 10 has annoyed
the State Government.
The Chief Minister and other ministers
always talk in full mouth about reducing liquor consumption in the State.
Nevertheless, they have seemingly lost control over the inquiry of the court. When
court asked about the closing of bars annoyed Excise officials
are thinking of closing 383 government-owned outlets that sell liquor.
The Court’s inquiry, of
course, has brought out the emptiness in the words of ministers about reducing gradually
liquor consumption in the State. The rulers could not pass over the huge revenue
the State collected as tax.
-K A Solaman
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