Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

`Government cannot reject applications for bar licences'

Special Correspondent

Spirit mafia has become a parallel economy, says Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Law does not permit the Government to reject applications for new bar licences and liquor outlets, Excise Minister P.K. Gurudasan has said.

Replying to a calling attention motion by T.N. Prathapan, on the need to prevent the sale of spurious liquor, Mr.Gurudasan said the Government was coordinating various departments including excise, forest, revenue and the police to intensify raids to check the smuggling and sale of illicit spirit.

Spirit was smuggled into the State during Onam season through land and sea. Spirit mafia had become a parallel economy. Steps were being taken to crack down on illicit liquor trade, the Minister said.

Mr. Gurudasan denied the charge that toddy shops were selling arrack. Earlier attempts to introduce prohibition in phases were not found to be feasible, he said.

Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy said the Government would consider the proposal to set up an epidemiology institute. Replying to a calling attention motion by V.N. Vasavan, highlighting the need for immediate action to prevent the spread of epidemics, Ms. Sreemathy said the Virology Institute would be strengthened. The Government will not spare any effort to check the spread of water-borne diseases. A sanitation campaign will be launched in association with local self-government institutions, she said.

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