Approval granted for liquor outlets in IT parks in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The motion to establish liquor outlets in IT parks in Kerala has received approval from the legislative subject committee, which will be implemented following the lifting of the Model Code of Conduct. However, opposition MLAs have condemned the move.

The decision to legalize the sale of liquor in IT parks was already made during the previous term of the government. Additionally, industrial parks have also been brought under the licensing framework. The license permits the establishment of clubs with a fee of 20 lakhs, which can operate for 12 hours from 11 am to 11 pm. The management and operational authority will be vested directly in the IT parks or in a company nominated by a promoter. Despite objections from the opposition that the parks would need separate licensing in the future, the committee passed the approval.

In these newly introduced liquor outlets, beer, wine, and foreign liquor will be served, and the rule requiring a specific distance between foreign liquor shops and bars will not apply here. Initially, permission was granted only for liquor outlets in parks, but once the final decision was made, the permission was also extended to industrial premises as demanded. Dissent over the decision arises from the opposition's concerns about enabling institutions to autonomously control the outlets. They also criticized the increasing consumption of liquor among IT professionals, which they fear may eventually erode the cultural values of the community.