Kerala CM wants bar issue resolved by May 15
KPCC chief is against a hasty decision and wants to evolve a consensus
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-05-04 05:31 GMT
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the UDF government and KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran continue to remain at loggerheads over the renewal of licences of 418 substandard bars, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is keen to find a solution by May 15, a day before the declaration of Lok Sabha results.
The KPCC chief is against a hasty decision and wants to evolve a consensus before the next UDF meeting scheduled for May 20. With KPCC vice-president V.D. Satheeshan favouring a pragmatic stand on the issue, many say he wants to be in the good books of the Chief Minister to secure a ministerial berth.
Mr Sudheeran has reiterated that the government and the party should protect the people’s interests rather than that of the bar owners. He has also called for evaluating the standards of the bars currently functioning in the state.
Congress MLA V. T. Balram has opined that the government must take a decision on the bar issue early.
“Total prohibition is possible only in a phased manner and after creating awareness among the people. It is interesting to note that the PCC chief is getting good support from the public as well as the party,” said Mr Balram.
Another green brigade MLA, T. N. Prathapan, too batted for Mr Sudheeran. He said the UDF government should send out a strong message that it would not succumb to the liquor lobby at any cost.
KPCC executive member and former health minister K. K. Ramachandran, who supported a liquor ban in the state, told DC, “Mr. Chandy should show the will to enforce total ban like former chief minister A. K. Antony did in the case of arrack.’’
He, however, demanded steps for the rehabilitation of bar workers. A decision to ban liquor would receive the support from the majority of the people, he said and added, “Of the 3.5 crore population, only a handful will oppose the ban.’’