Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led Opposition on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Kerala government in the Assembly, accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration of corruption in approving a brewery unit in Palakkad. Led by senior Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala, the Opposition claimed the licence granted to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd was a result of undue political favouritism.

The company, whose director was jailed in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, has been allowed to establish multiple facilities, including an ethanol plant, a multi-feed distillation unit, and a brewery, in the water-scarce district of Palakkad. Chennithala alleged that this decision was taken clandestinely with the Chief Minister’s personal involvement.

“The present attempt by Vijayan to give sanction to the controversial firm speaks volumes about the extent this government will go to favour certain parties. The licence given to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd must be cancelled immediately,” Chennithala said during his speech.

Echoing similar concerns, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan pointed out that the company's projects were approved on a 26-acre plot purchased two years ago, raising further doubts about the legitimacy of the government’s intentions. Protests against the move by both the Congress and the BJP have gathered momentum outside the Assembly as well.

The Opposition reminded the House that a few years ago, they had successfully prevented a similar attempt by the Vijayan government to issue licences to questionable firms in the brewery sector.

Meanwhile, the Congress also raised allegations related to the government’s procurement of PPE kits during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which pointed out irregularities in purchases and a loss of ₹10 crore due to inflated costs.

(With input from IANS)