Will Kerala bars shut down today?

October 30, 2014 08:37

The Kerala High Court will today pronounce its verdict on a clutch of petitions challenging the state government's decision to shut down over 700 bars in the state.

Announcing a 10-year plan that would bring prohibition to Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in August that over 700 bars across the state will have to shut down, adding that only five-star hotel would be allowed to keep serving booze and even they will have go dry on Sundays.

According to the government's plans, state-run liquor stores, where men queue up for their daily fix, will be phased out at a rate of ten per cent a year for the next decade, leaving a big hole in the state coffers after alcohol taxes and fees generated more than $1 billion or Rs. 6,000 crore in the 2012-13 financial year.

The bar owners had challenged that order in court, contending that the decision was taken in 'haste' and would be counter-productive as it would lose substantial revenue, besides impacting tourism.

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