Government liquor policy just on paper: Number of Bars grows from 29 to 801

Thiruvananthapuram: The Left government in Kerala is facing criticism for its liquor policy, which has led to a significant increase in the number of bars despite its aim of banning alcohol. When the first Pinarayi Vijayan administration took office, there were 29 bars in the state. Over the past eight years, it surged to 801.

The current liquor policy, which permits opening of bars on their own, has led to fierce competition among bar owners and has been hit by government-sponsored fund collection. According to the policy, establishments with a three-star license can obtain a bar license if they comply with distance regulations. This has enabled bar owners to collaborate with the ruling party to block the establishment of nearby bars or beverage outlets, a situation that has been exploited by various organizations and officials.

The initial liquor policy under the Pinarayi government allowed reopening of 282 bars that had been closed by the previous UDF government. These were classified under license renewals rather than new licenses. Additionally, beer-wine parlors that achieved three-star status and obtained licenses were also excluded from the count of new bars. This led to the opening of 442 bars during the first Pinarayi administration. By the end of the first term, the government had sanctioned an additional 200 bars, bringing the total to 671.

In the second term of the Pinarayi government, 130 new bar licenses were issued. Of these, 33 were converted from beer-wine parlors, which the government does not count as new bars, leaving only 97 as new outlets.

If the beer-wine parlor obtains a bar license, they are not included in the government’s statistics. Approximately 10 firms are currently seeking licenses, indicating that the number of bars in the state could increase further under the existing liquor policy.