Kerala LoP warns government against liquor manufacturing decision: 'We will agitate' | VIDEO

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has called on the LDF government to withdraw its decision allowing a global liquor company to set up manufacturing units in Palakkad district. Satheesan criticised the move, saying it violates the state’s existing policy on liquor production.

Satheesan expressed strong disapproval, stating that the Kerala Cabinet’s decision to grant a license for an India-made foreign liquor bottling plant, along with the production of brandy, wine, and other liquors, goes against the state’s policy of the past 25 years. “This is a violation of the policy which has been in existence for the last 25 years,” Satheesan said, emphasising that the government's actions lacked proper consultation.

Warning of agitation

Satheesan warned the LDF government that if the decision is not reversed, the opposition would launch an agitation. "Without consulting anybody, the government deviated from the policy which has been taken for the last 25 years... So, we demand that the government withdraw this decision. Otherwise, we will start agitation,” he added.

The Opposition UDF is expected to raise the issue during the ongoing budget session of the Kerala State Assembly. The session began on January 17 with the policy address by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Key dates for Kerala Assembly budget session

• Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal is set to present the Kerala State Budget for 2025-26 on February 7.

• The Assembly will meet for a total of 27 days, with discussions on the Governor's address taking place from January 20 to 22.

• The Assembly will break from February 14 to March 2, after which Subject Committees will scrutinize the demands for grants.

• The session is scheduled to conclude on March 28, with two Appropriation Bills being passed for the 2024-25 fiscal and the 2025-26 State Budget.

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