Excise minister M Liju
Thiruvananthapuram : Two excise deputy commissioners have been suspended for granting bar licences to three beer and wine parlours in violation of the state govt’s directive against issuing fresh bar licences before the new liquor policy is announced. The suspended officials are Shibu B L, Pathanamthitta excise deputy commissioner, who also holds charge of Kottayam, and P K Satheesh, Ernakulam excise deputy commissioner. The action was taken on the directions of excise minister M Liju. The officials had granted bar licences to two beer and wine parlours in Ernakulam and one in Kottayam by reclassifying them. The establishments are Ganga in Muvattupuzha and Megha in Ernakulam and Maria in Pala.
Govt had decided against granting new bar licences, and the excise minister had specifically instructed officials not to issue fresh licences until the new liquor policy was introduced. However, the deputy commissioners allegedly bypassed the directive by exercising their powers to reclassify beer and wine parlours and grant them bar licences. The development has reportedly caused strong displeasure to the minister, who sought a detailed report from the excise commissioner on the circumstances under which the licences were issued.