HC asks govt to take policy decision on renewal of bar hotel

Kerala High Court today directed the state government to take a policy decision within a month on renewal of licenses of 418 bar hotels which had been closed following low quality parameters.
The order in this regard was issued by Justice P N Ramchandran while considering a batch of petitions by bar hotel owners.
Government informed the court they have received reports of Tax Secretary and that of the Justice M Ramachandran Commission, constituted to make recommendations on the state government's liquor policy. These are under the active consideration of the government and a decision would be taken, the court was told.

The Court directed the government to take expeditious decision on the matter within a month.
Meanwhile, while considering the appeals filed against a single judge's order declining to interfere with the closure of bar hotels, a division bench wanted to know from the government why it had permitted bar hotels in 'every nook and corner'.
According to government's policy decision, Bar licenses are granted for tourism promotion. The Court said then bar hotels should be restricted to such places.
"When policy is to reduce consumption of alcohol why should there be such large number of bar hotels?', the bench, comprising Justices Harun-Al Rashid and Anil Narendran asked.

The case was posted to June 17 for further hearing.