SC frowns on Kerala's new liquor policy, terms it impractical

The apex court questions logic behind categorising bar hotels as five-star, four-star and three star hotels for issuing bar licences

In a major setback to Kerala government, Supreme Court today termed the state's new liquor policy as impractical.

Dismissing the  government’s plea challenging the earlier high court verdict, the apex court questioned the logic behind the new liquor policy categorising bar hotels as five-star, four-star and three-star for the grant of licences.

Severely criticising the policy, the apex court has ordered to issue licences to ten bar hotels immediately.

Earlier, the Kerala high court had ordered to renew licences to ten hotels, but the government did not implement the order.

Strictly instructing to implement its order, the high court also initiated action against the excise commissioner for not implementing its order.

The state Cabinet, inspite of the legal advice from the Advocate General, has decided to file an appeal in the apex court.

The apex court summarily rejected the appeal by questioning how can they discriminate business establishments while implementing a policy. The Supreme Court bench stated the government can approach the high court, but only after implementing its earlier order.

“There are something more to comment against the government’s liquor policy, but the court purposefully abstained from it,” the judges said while dismissing the government’s plea.