The Kerala government has decided to allow IT parks to serve liquor as part of enhancing the social infrastructure.
The new excise policy of the left-front government that was released on Wednesday also provides for setting up more self-service counters in view of the heavy rush in front of the liquor outlets in the state, which has invited court criticism. Relaxations would be given to ensure liquor availability in tourism sectors as well as MICE tourism.
A demand to allow liquor at IT parks was present as part of enhancing the social infrastructure. Liquor would be allowed only at specified areas. The permission would be also be subject to stringent conditions.
An official statement from the office of Kerala excise minister M V Govindan also said that the new policy provided for initiating production of low-alcoholic liquor and wines from fruits like cashew, pineapple and jackfruit. Liquor production at the state-run Travancore Sugars and Chemicals would be also enhanced and liquor production would be initiated at the Malabar Distilleries. New brewery licences would be also issued. These measures would generate employment opportunities and enhance demand for fruits and locally-available fruits and other agricultural produce.
The new policy also continues to give focus on liquor abstinence initiatives at educational institutions. New deaddiction centres would be also opened in the state. In view of the ecological issues caused by plastic liquor bottles, sale of liquor in plastic bottles would be completely banned by 2023-24, said the new liquor policy.
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