Thiruvananthapuram: Bars across Kerala are stocking up after the Supreme Court stayed the state government's order for smaller hotels and bars to be closed down before Thursday midnight.
The Kerala state government had as a part of its new alcohol policy had earlier decided to shut down 713 bars across Kerala before 11 PM tonight.
The Supreme Court has questioned the rationale behind leaving bars in 5-star hotels open, while shutting down the others.(Want Prohibition? Then Follow Gujarat Model, Says Supreme Court to Kerala)
The court's order has come as relief to the people associated with alcohol industry in the state who are relieved that they still have their jobs at least for a few more days.
The Congress led United Democratic Front government's new alcohol policy is expected to affect nearly 1 lakh workers directly and indirectly associated with the hotel industry, while rehabilitation is planned for just 15000 bar workers registered with the govt.
Chandrasenan Nair, Managing Partner of Pankaj hotel says, 'We welcome Supreme Court's observations. The government has been wrong. How can it suddenly tell us with a 15 day notice to shut down all bars? What will we do? Where will we go? As an industry we have loans over 500 crore. How will we pay that back?'
The government has decided to explain its stand to the court for keeping 5 star hotels out of the new restrictions. Excise minister K Babu maintained that," this is a gradual decision. First we decided to ban Three-stars, then Four-stars; we will gradually see five-stars also. It is a 10 years programme."
Many though are disappointed with the court order. Anti-alcohol Activist BRB Bhasker says, "It is important to understand the repercussions of alcoholism in Kerala. Shutting down the bars will help curb the chronic alcoholism considerably, especially at a time when the unofficial age for alcohol consumption has touched 14, showing easy access to alcohol for even teenagers."
The Supreme Court has asked the Kerala High court to decide pending petitions of bar owners against the state policy by the 30th of this month.