Kerala CM rejects graft charges over nod for new breweries

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Wednesday dismissed as 'baseless' allegations of corruption levelled by opposition UDF in the sanctioning of new breweries and distilleries in the state, accusing it of trying to create smoke screen over the issue.

The government had only given in principle sanction to the three breweries and a distillery and the final licence would be granted after following necessary inspection by concerned departments, he told a press conference here.

Referring to the claim of Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala of Congress that the government did not invite tenders for new breweries, Vijayan said there was no such precedent and added that all decisions had been taken in a "transparent" manner by following guidelines.

Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan had last week maintained the same stand, dismissing the charges as baseless and saying the decisions were taken in a "transparent" manner by following necessary guidelines.

Chennithala had claimed that the sanctions were given through the 'back door' without making any changes in the LDF's declared liquor policy.

He had also alleged that crores of rupees were taken as bribe to accord sanction for the units and demanded a comprehensive probe besides an explanation from the Chief Minister.

Rejecting the allegations, Vijayan said the government had nothing to hide and the decision was in accordance with the ruling LDF's policy which did not favour total prohibition but only abstinence from liquor.

The move was to enhance the state's revenue and create more job openings, he said.

Vijayan also said that at present 40 per cent of total beer requirement for the state and eight per cent of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) were being procured from neighbouring states.

Indicating that the allegation was to help the liquor lobby of neighbouring states, he said the liquor units there would be hit if new units were opened in the state.

The opposition was trying to create a "smoke-screen" by raising fabricated allegations against the government, he said.