THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that corruption is the only reason behind granting permission to Oasis Commercial Private Limited to start a distillery in Kanjikode, Palakkad, without inviting tenders or following any procedures. He demanded that Excise Minister MB Rajesh provide a detailed explanation to the public. It was the Excise Minister who took the application from the company and presented it before the Cabinet for approval. Chennithala said that the Left government should explain the reason for the special interest shown by Minister Rajesh and the government in favour of this company.
"Minister Rajesh claimed that the decision was based on the state’s liquor policy. If that is the case, tenders should have been invited. The minister's assertion that all rules were followed raises questions, as no tender was called. Why was Malabar Distilleries, a government-owned enterprise with licenses for ENA production in over 17 distilleries in Kerala, not granted approval?" Chennithala asked. He also questioned the current status of a government project introduced earlier to produce alcohol from tapioca at Superstar Distilleries, a private enterprise in Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur.
Minister Rajesh stated that Oasis is a company registered under the Companies Act. Chennithala retorted, asking whether any company in India can operate without registering under the Companies Act. He accused the minister of being unaware of his own statements. Chennithala speculated that the minister’s remarks stem from a previous controversy, wherein many paper companies were granted permission to establish distilleries, a project that failed due to strong opposition from the then-opposition parties.