PALAKKAD: Excise Minister MB Rajesh said that Palakkad is poised for significant industrial progress with the establishment of the brewery in Elappully, and that attempts to derail this should be avoided. Speaking at a press conference, the minister stated that the required water will be sourced by harvesting rainwater from Malampuzha. He urged that the project, which promises to provide employment opportunities to thousands, should not be obstructed in the name of a water crisis.

"No permission has been granted to extract even a drop of groundwater. There is a campaign of false propaganda surrounding this issue, motivated by petty political interests," the minister asserted.

He also clarified that industrial ventures in Kerala do not begin by seeking immediate approval from local panchayats. Instead, such permissions are sought at the appropriate stages of the project. The current controversy, he alleged, includes false narratives propagated by certain media outlets.

"The measures being implemented now align with the government's existing liquor policy. Ramesh Chennithala, who earlier opposed the government's liquor policy and made statements against it at that time, now claims ignorance of it," Minister Rajesh remarked. He added that the opposition lacked the courage to raise these serious allegations in the legislative assembly.

"This is an industrial venture," the minister emphasized. "Is a tender required to start an industry?" he asked rhetorically, questioning the motives behind the criticism.