Kerala: Catholic Church resents bar ordinance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A delegation of Catholic bishops led by Archbishop M. Soosa Pakiam met Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan and expressed concern over the ordinance to curb the powers of the local bodies in granting NOCs for liquor shops. After the meeting, Archbishop Soosa Pakiam told reporters that the government decision smacked of some kind of understanding with the liquor lobby to derail the existing liquor policy. The amendment to the existing law was unfortunate and it would pave the way for opening more liquor shops across rural and urban areas of the state, he said.

“The government has cheated us. They have decided to open the bars through overt and covert means. The new ordinance should be withdrawn with immediate effect,” Archbishop Soosa Pakiam said. The Archbishop said the amendments to the Panchayati and Nagarpalika Acts would make it much easier for the excise department to open liquor outlets without the nod of the local bodies. Earlier, soon after the signing of the liquor ordinance, prohibitionists led by Archbishop Soosa Pakiam and poet Sugathakumari had called on the Governor to register their strong protest against the decision.

Former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran urged the Governor to intervene in the matter. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala also met Governor Sathasivam to express opposition against the government move to change the liquor policy. Mr Chennithala also wrote to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury reminding him of the promise made during the election campaign  that not even a single bar would be opened if the LDF came to power.

CPM on liquor policy
Meanwhile, CPM secretariat discussed the proposals Abkari policy of LDF government which is slated to be announced before June 30. The secretariat is understood to be in favour of altering the UDF liquor policy by allowing the reopening of three and four star bars which comply with the prescribed standards. The party also wants relaxation for the tourism sector.