Won’t appeal against HC order on Bevco outlets: UDF

Thiruvananthapuram: UDF convenor P.P Thankachan on Saturday said the government would not be going in appeal against the recent High Court directive asking the government to close down the highway-side outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation.

Briefing reporters on the deliberations of the UDF meeting, Thankachan said the government stuck to its policy to phase out the outlets as part of its policy to free state from alcohol abuse.

The UDF high power committee meeting here, presided over by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, has adopted a resolution describing the allegation of demanding and accepting bribe, levelled by bar owners, against Mani as unfounded.

Thankachan said the coalition was of the view that a section of bar hoteliers had hurled the allegation at Mani as a revenge towards the government for sharply reducing the availability of liquor.

“It has decided to give total support to Mani over the 'bar bribe' controversy and resolved to fight the allegation against him unitedly,” he said.

Kerala Bar Hotels Association working president Biju Ramesh had earlier this month alleged that Mani had been given a huge sum as bribe for favourable decisions.

With the charge rattling the UDF initially, a preliminary probe by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has been ordered by the government.