Controversy erupts over tourism and alcohol policy in Kerala

The Congress on Monday rejected Kerala Tourism Directorate’s claim that a recent stakeholders’ meeting conducted by the department had nothing to do with the government’s alcohol policy and alleged that officials were forced to lie to protect ministers.

The grand old party maintained its allegation that the decision to change alcohol policy was taken during a meeting called by the Department of Tourism on May 21.

The bar owners met in Ernakulam and decided to raise money to get a “favorable alcohol policy” after the meeting, claimed Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan.

“In the alleged audio recording of one of the bar owners, it was clearly stated that nothing would happen if the money was not received,” he told reporters here.

Satheesan accused the tourism director of issuing a press statement soon after the opposition clarified that both the tourism and excise ministers had lied on the matter.

He also alleged that the subject of a link to a Zoom meeting called by the tourism director was “alcohol policy review.”

LoP also asked whether the declaration issued on behalf of the Director of Tourism was prepared in the office of the Minister of Tourism. He alleged that officials were forced to protect ministers involved in corruption.

However, PA Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas continued to deny Congress’ allegations and made it clear that the May 21 meeting was held regularly.

It was a normal occurrence for the Directorate to convene such meetings of stakeholders and it comes under the jurisdiction of the Director Tourism, he told reporters in Kozhikode.

Riyas also suspected that there was a plan to drag his name into the controversy.

As the Opposition launched an attack on the state government alleging that a recent meeting of tourism stakeholders was held to change the alcohol policy, the Kerala Tourism Directorate on Sunday rejected the allegations, saying the meeting held on May 21 was ordinary.

Terming media reports on the issue as “misleading”, tourism director Sikha Surendran said the meeting was attended by industry groups consisting of resorts, hotels, houseboats and event management groups, all of which play a significant role in the development of the sector tourist.

Surendran said in a statement that the meeting was not convened as per the directions of the Tourism Minister.

The Congress, criticizing the government, alleged that bar owners also participated in the meeting, which took place on May 21 via the Zoom videoconferencing platform, and that there were discussions about a “dry day” and extending the opening hours of bars.

The opposition’s criticism comes after reports that the state government is considering scrapping the “dry day” norm (banning the sale of alcohol in the state on the first day of every calendar month), sparking a political storm in the state.

While the Congress-led UDF has accused the LDF government of accepting bribes from bar owners to favor them, the Left says it is yet to hold any talks on its alcohol policy.

The issue of the alleged withdrawal of the ‘dry day’ policy has sparked a flurry of controversy after an audio clip was broadcast on television channels showing a member of the Bar Association allegedly calling on other members to pay money for a ‘favorable alcohol policy’.

The UDF leveled allegations that the Left government demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners for pursuing policies favorable to them and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister MB Rajesh.

Setting aside the opposition’s allegations and demands, Rajesh said the state government is yet to hold any talks on its alcohol policy.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)