10 more bars will be granted licence: Kerala govt to HC

The Kerala government today informed the High Court that licence will be granted to 10 more bars in compliance with the court's direction.
Advocate General K P Dandapani told the court that the state Cabinet will take a decision in this regard today itself and grant licence by Monday next.
Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai, before whom the contempt petitions filed by bar owners came up, recorded the undertaking of the government and posted the case for orders.
The court had earlier directed the government to grant licence to 10 more bars belonging to three-star and four-star category. Challenging this decision, the government had filed appeals before a division bench and the Supreme Court.

Both the courts refused to stay the order and the government had to grant licence.
Meanwhile, the bar owners also filed contempt petitions for non-compliance of the court's order and Secretary (Taxes) and Excise Commissioner appeared in person twice before the court.