77 Bars Reopen As Kerala Government Reverses Liquor Policy

At least 77 bars across Kerala reopened today after the implementation of the new liquor policy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, turning Sunday into a celebration day for tipplers across the state. As part of the new liquor policy, bars attached to three-star hotels and above have been allowed to serve hard liquor, signalling a reversal of liquor policy initiated by the previous Congress-led UDF government. Under the partial prohibition liquor policy implemented by the Oommen Chandy government from April 2014 to March 2017, only five-star hotels and government-run outlets could serve hard liquor. As a result, around 700 bars were asked to shut down and serve only beer and wine to customers.