No bar licence renewals until new liquor policy: Kerala Excise Department issues fresh order

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Excise Department has issued an order directing that bar licences should not be renewed until the state government announces its new liquor policy.

The order was issued by Excise Commissioner R Jayashankar, directing officials not to renew bar licences before the new policy comes into effect.

The development follows an earlier directive from the Taxes Department, which instructed officials not to grant fresh licences for liquor businesses without the government's approval until the new liquor policy is finalised.

The latest order specifically addresses the renewal of existing bar licences, extending the restrictions to the renewal process as well.

The state government is expected to announce its new liquor policy before November 30. Until then, the department has been instructed to withhold bar licence renewals.