Palakkad: The Kerala High Court has stayed a public competition launched to invite suggestions for the name and logo of a premium brandy to be introduced by Malabar Distilleries, the state government’s second liquor manufacturing company. The Division Bench issued an interim stay while considering two public interest litigations challenging the conduct of the competition.

The petitioners argued that such competitions organised by the government could set a bad precedent and encourage private liquor manufacturers to follow suit. They further contended that the move amounted to a violation of provisions that impose penalties for unlawful advertisements.

Bevco (Kerala State Beverages Corporation) stated that it had no knowledge of the competition. One of the petitioners questioned whether, in that case, the Bevco Board of Directors had approved the contest, whether the Excise Commissioner had granted permission, and whether any legal scrutiny had been carried out.

The government pleader submitted that the initiative was intended solely to invite suggestions from the public for a brand that does not yet exist. The court responded, “Then would you spend money for something that does not exist… would you spend public exchequer funds in this manner?”

The court observed that the nature of the advertisement, in effect, promoted the consumption of liquor and amounted to a step towards introducing the product in the market. The case has been posted for further hearing on March 12.