Govt of Kerala decides not to shut down liquor outlets on Gandhi Jayanti

The previous government decided to shut down 10% outlets on every Gandhi Jayanti

The Government of Kerala has decided not to shut down liquor outlets on October 2, as against the routine of last two years of shutting around 10 per cent of the shops on Gandhi Jayanti.

The Cabinet meeting today has decided not to shut down any more liqour outlets, said two government-run organisations that sell liquor in the state.

This comes as a deviation from the decision of the previous Congress-led government, which from 2014, has announced closure of 10 per cent liquor shops on Gandhi Jayanti.

The previous government has announced shutting down of the shops as part of its plans to bring in complete prohibition in the State, which has had record sales of liquor bottles in previous years, according to reports.

The decision not to shut down is expected to continue till a new Liquor Policy is brought in by the new government. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Part of India (Marxist) is in discussion to prepare the new policy and it is expected to come out in November this year, added sources.