________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk] [www.atozkerala.in , www.atozkerala.blogspot.com]
Kochi: The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, partially upheld the liquor policy announced by the UDF government.
While ruling in favour of the government decision to wind up the operations of the two and three star bars, the court wanted the government to allow functioning of four-star bars along with five-star hotels.
With this verdict delivered by Justice K Surendra Mohan, as many as 261 bars currently functioning in the state have to down their shutters. However, the order fails to mention the date of closure.The court issued the order after considering a total of 83 petitions filed by various parties.
The HC noted the government failed to consider the recommendations of the Justice M Ramachandran committee while framing the new liquor policy.
The government had earlier decided to permit operations of five-star bars and heritage bars. Citing the Supreme Court order isiued in 2012, the court wanted the four-star and heritage hotels be treated on par with five-star hotels.
Now, a total of 62 bars, comprising 33 four-star, 21 five-star and eight heritage bars, can function in the state.
Aiming to implement a total prohibition, the government had cancelled the licences given to 418 bars and decided to shut down the operations of the remaining bars on September 12.
The Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association moved the Kerala High Court, which Sep 3 upheld the government's decision. The association sought relief from the Supreme Court, which sent it back to the high court.
The government wanted to close down 712 bars in the state, except those having five-star status. Among them, 33 four-star bars can now continue to function.
Thursday's verdict has come as a partial relief to the government.
Talking to media, Chief minister Oommen Chandy said the verdict is an approval of the liquor policy brought forth by the state government.
The association has announced that it would go in appeal against the verdict while state Excise Minister K. Babu said this verdict is no setback to the State government's liquor policy.
'Now we will study the verdict and decide the next course of action,' said Babu.
State Congress president V.M. Sudheeran welcomed the verdict and said it has upheld the liquor policy of the state government.
'Now we will see what we can do to bring the four-star hotel bars also out of the present list and for that we will seek legal recourse,' said Sudheeran.
Employees working in a three-star hotel in the state capital said this is a sad day for them.
'If the media reports on the verdict are to be believed, we are so sad and we are left with no job. I have been in this industry for the past quarter of a century as a waiter in a bar restaurant,' said a waiter.
Meanwhile, the state government has already begun talks with trade union leaders for devising a rehabilitation package for the registered employees working in the bars that will now be closed.
'One round of talks is over and very soon we will have a second round. We have asked the stake holders to come out with their suggestions,' said Babu.
(with inputs from agencies)
Kochi: The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, partially upheld the liquor policy announced by the UDF government.While ruling in favour of the government decision to wind up the operations of the two and three star bars, the court wanted the government to allow functioning of four-star bars along with five-star hotels.
With this verdict delivered by Justice K Surendra Mohan, as many as 261 bars currently functioning in the state have to down their shutters. However, the order fails to mention the date of closure.The court issued the order after considering a total of 83 petitions filed by various parties.
The HC noted the government failed to consider the recommendations of the Justice M Ramachandran committee while framing the new liquor policy.
The government had earlier decided to permit operations of five-star bars and heritage bars. Citing the Supreme Court order isiued in 2012, the court wanted the four-star and heritage hotels be treated on par with five-star hotels.
Now, a total of 62 bars, comprising 33 four-star, 21 five-star and eight heritage bars, can function in the state.
Aiming to implement a total prohibition, the government had cancelled the licences given to 418 bars and decided to shut down the operations of the remaining bars on September 12.
The Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association moved the Kerala High Court, which Sep 3 upheld the government's decision. The association sought relief from the Supreme Court, which sent it back to the high court.
The government wanted to close down 712 bars in the state, except those having five-star status. Among them, 33 four-star bars can now continue to function.
Thursday's verdict has come as a partial relief to the government.
Talking to media, Chief minister Oommen Chandy said the verdict is an approval of the liquor policy brought forth by the state government.
The association has announced that it would go in appeal against the verdict while state Excise Minister K. Babu said this verdict is no setback to the State government's liquor policy.
'Now we will study the verdict and decide the next course of action,' said Babu.
State Congress president V.M. Sudheeran welcomed the verdict and said it has upheld the liquor policy of the state government.
'Now we will see what we can do to bring the four-star hotel bars also out of the present list and for that we will seek legal recourse,' said Sudheeran.
Employees working in a three-star hotel in the state capital said this is a sad day for them.
'If the media reports on the verdict are to be believed, we are so sad and we are left with no job. I have been in this industry for the past quarter of a century as a waiter in a bar restaurant,' said a waiter.
Meanwhile, the state government has already begun talks with trade union leaders for devising a rehabilitation package for the registered employees working in the bars that will now be closed.
'One round of talks is over and very soon we will have a second round. We have asked the stake holders to come out with their suggestions,' said Babu.
(with inputs from agencies)
അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ല:
ഒരു അഭിപ്രായം പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യൂ