The BJP minister opposes the Puducherry government’s alcohol policy

BJP minister in the AK Sai Saravanan Kumar government has urged Lt Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stop the growing number of resto bars in the city.

The Minister for Civil Supplies in the NDA government led by Chief Minister N Rangasamy has urged the Lt Governor to explain how the proliferation of eateries near schools and residential centers is creating hardship for the public. He demanded that measures be taken against such outlets.

The minister later released a video message, which has since been shared widely on social media, calling for an inspection of the booming restaurant bars that operated late into the night, disturbed residents and were contrary to the culture of the place.

He also alluded to how in the recent past, resto bars had sprung up in his Oussudu constituency, near an educational institution, a temple and a church, without his knowledge. Mr Sai Saravanan added that the Governor had agreed to look into his complaint.

The Minister’s public objection may put the government in a difficult position as it comes in the wake of a public protest against resto bars near residential and educational centers and echoes criticism from opposition parties who have condemned the liberal granting of alcoholic beverage licenses in the tourism category in order to obtain revenues.