Will not establish liquor outlets in these areas in Kerala; Bevco's decision

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bevco has assured the Human Rights Commission that foreign liquor outlets will not be opened in populated areas. The Deputy Excise Commissioner informed the commission that a foreign liquor shop would not be set up at Valiyavila in Manambur, Varkala, where people live in close proximity.

Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed the Thiruvananthapuram Deputy Excise Commissioner that if such an application is considered in the future, the complainants must be given prior notice and their concerns should be addressed before any decision is made. The directive came in response to a petition demanding that the move to establish a Bevco outlet at Valiyavila be halted.

According to the report, there had been a plan to shift the Kallambalam foreign liquor shop to Valiyavila, but the decision was withdrawn following public protests. The action was taken based on a complaint filed by Santosh Kumar, president of the Valiyavila Desam Residents’ Association.