Purported audio clip: Kerala hotel owners asked to pay money for favourable liquor policy

Thiruvananthapuram: A purported audio clip has surfaced in which a leader of apex body of bar hotel owners' organisation allegedly requests a payment of Rs 2.5 lakh from each hotel in exchange for securing a favourable liquor policy.

The voice note reportedly emerged following a state executive committee meeting of the Federation of Kerala Hotel Associations in Ernakulam. According to reports, the voice belongs to Animon, Idukki District President of the Federation and Vice President of the apex body of bar hotel owners. The voice note appeared within the Idukki district group of the organisation.

It is alleged that the organisation decided to collect Rs 2.5 lakh from each bar hotelier, but many failed to comply. Following this, the organisation's leader allegedly instructed members to provide the amount. Attempts to contact Animon for his comments on the matter were unsuccessful.

Last month, during a meeting of department secretaries, discussions centred on potentially lifting the alcohol ban on the first day of each month to boost tourism. A committee of secretaries was formed to examine the matter and submit a report. This development has emerged amid these discussions.