Thiruvananthapuram: Reports indicate that bar owners held a meeting in Kochi on Thursday to discuss the liquor policy, even as the government reiterated that discussions on the liquor policy had not yet started.

The upcoming liquor policy that is scheduled to be released after the elections was the main topic of discussion of the Federation of Kerala Bar Hotel State Committee. Apart from this, in the notice sent to the members, it was informed that the meeting will discuss the excise inspection in hotels and other problems faced by the industry. 

However, the discussions mainly centred around the relaxations in the new liquor policy. The organisation now claims that funds were raised for the construction of its headquarters in the capital city. Rs 6.10 crore is required for purchasing land in PMG. Out of this, Rs 4.53 crore has already been collected. An advance of Rs 3 crore has been paid. State president V Sunilkumar claimed that the fund collection has been done entirely through bank accounts and the figures are transparent.

A section has complained to the government alleging corruption in the collection of funds. The Vigilance department had sought information regarding this. Sunilkumar claimed that exact figures had been handed over.

However, some bar owners say that the fund collection for the construction of the building was done earlier. Rs 1 lakh each was demanded from bar owners. It was after this that fund collection for relaxations in liquor policy allegedly began.

Some members of the organisation's leadership contacted the members on WhatsApp asking for Rs 2.50 lakh. Many were not ready to pay this amount and this led to a controversy brimming.

It was in this context that the Executive committee meeting was held in Kochi on Thursday. Fundraising was also mentioned in this meeting. District officials of the association were instructed to collect this amount as soon as possible. It is indicated that Idukki district president Animon sent a message to the members regarding the same following this meeting.