Kerala govt unveils eased liquor policy

Thiruvananthapuram: The Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala has unveiled a new liquor policy. From July 1, three and four star hotels in Kerala will be allowed to serve liquor to guests. At present, only five-star bars in the state have the licence to serve liquor while others have the licence to serve only beer and wine. The government eased the liquor policy as the earlier policy had caused huge loss of revenue to the state, threatened to downgrade Kerala's status as a pre-eminent tourist destination and split the society down the middle on the desirability and efficacy of prohibition as best means of fighting growing alcoholism.