'Will not walk out of Kanjikode brewery project'; CM Pinarayi Vijayan unperturbed by opposition protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while addressing the state assembly said that the government would not back out from the move to start a brewery in Kanjikode. According to the CM, the project comes with a 600 crore investment and will assure employment to 650 people.

CM Pinarayi said that there was a need to save the Rs 3300 crore now going out from the state.

“When you hear the words brewery and bar, corruption comes to mind, as the former opposition leader said. This is innate within congress politicians. Don’t try to put your presumptions and hinder this project. Starting industries in the country is essential for development and employment. Permission was given as per law. The government will further encourage investors if they come up with a quality proposal.

Currently, there are 10 distilleries, 8 blending units and two breweries in Kerala. Seven of the ten distilleries were started during the UDF regime. No tender was called before giving permission. In 1999 the government decided not to grant permission to the brewery only in respect of the received applications. It was not a policy decision. It is for this same reason that the UDF was able to allow breweries after they came to power in the early 2000s.

The permission for the brewery is in accordance with the liquor policy approved by the state. License can be granted to qualified persons as per existing law. It has been clarified in the liquor policy that there is no tender for it. If Tata Group Motor Company comes with a project in Kerala, will you advise them to follow a tender process? Oasis is the only company approved by the central government through a transparent process to produce ethanol for oil companies.

Permission was granted for the primary brewery. It does not require the permission of the panchayat. Meanwhile, final approval will be through the Ease of Doing Business Single Window System. A representative of the panchayat is also a member of this board.” said CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

• In the beginning, half a lakh litres of water will be needed per day and then 5 lakh litres per day

• The water authority will find water through KINFRA line and from rain storage

• At present, KINFRA supplies eight lakh liters of water for industrial purposes every day

• The line to Kinfra was sanctioned by the UDF government of 2011-16.