THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet has approved the liquor policy for this financial year. The bar license fee has been increased. The fee presently is Rs 30 lakhs and now Rs 5 lakh has been increased.

The information received is that there is no significant change in the liquor policy of last year. It is impossible to avoid dry day on the first of every month. Trade unions have also protested against the exemption. As alcohol sales increase on the eve of Dry Day, the government incurs no loss.

A decision was taken in last year's policy to distribute alcohol in IT parks but it has not been implemented. The demand of the IT department to reduce the fee is under government’s consideration. The Assembly Subject Committee is looking into the matter. Most probably it will be implemented this year itself. The new liquor policy will also have instructions regarding the operation of toddy shops. The new liquor policy was supposed to come in April but was delayed due to various reasons.