THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet convened here Tuesday approved the draft liquor policy of the state government. The new decisions are an increase in abkari services, dry day will not be avoided and toddy shops to be auctioned on group basis. License fees have been hiked from 28 lakh to 30 lakh. It has also been decided not to issue license to new breweries.

The new liquor policy will come into effect from April 1st onwards. The new liquor policy mentions to increase the license fee of bars and to levy tie-up fees from distilleries. The new policy has also mentioned to waive the annual license fee of clubs having bar license. The demand for pubs was voiced considering the interests of the state tourism sector. This had led to great debate and controversy.

In the wake of opposition from the CPM state secretariat, the government has come to the conclusion that there is no need for pubs. The government had obtained memorandums from many including the IT sector seeking permission for pubs and breweries. The present government’s first liquor policy was released on June 9 in 2017.