Minimum distance of bar botels reduced in Kerala

The CPI-M-led LDF government in Kerala has reduced the minimum distance to be maintained for bars in hotels with Four star and above rating from places of worship and educational institutions from 200 meters to 50 metres.
Announcing this, State Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan told reporters at Kozhikode today that necessary amendments in the rules were made considering a recommendation made by the Excise Commissioner in this regard.
"Excise commissioner had submitted a report on the difficulties faced by tourism sector to the government," he said.
The minimum distance of bars and places of worship and educational institutions was hiked from 50 metres to 200 metres by the previous Congress-led UDF government in 2011 as part of its liquor policy.

Opposition UDF and BJP slammed government for reducing the distance to be maintained for bars and alleged that government had succumbed to the 'liquor mafia' in the state.