Kerala Government Launches Probe into Suspicious “Hasty” Bar Licences

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: The Kerala government has initiated a high-level crackdown on the state’s excise department following allegations of irregularities in the issuance of bar licences. State Excise Minister M. Liju announced on Monday that a thorough investigation is underway to determine whether departmental officials bypassed standard protocols and exhibited “unwanted hastiness” in clearing licence applications.

The controversy centres on allegations that several bars—some of which had remained shuttered for years—received operational permits within a mere 24-hour window. Minister Liju pointed to procedural loopholes allegedly created during the tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration, which he claims allowed for such rapid clearances.

Addressing Systematic Loopholes

Speaking to the press in the national capital, Minister Liju expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the recent approvals. He noted that in several instances, the Excise Commissioner was kept entirely in the dark regarding the issuance of these permits.

“Everything will be investigated, and all loopholes will be closed,” Liju stated, adding that the government is prepared to amend existing excise laws if necessary to prevent further abuse of the system. The minister emphasized that the current administration maintains a firm stance against granting licences without first conducting a mandatory social impact study.

Legal and Administrative Action

The probe follows the recent suspension of three excise officials involved in granting permits to hotels in the Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. These suspensions were issued because the licences were granted in direct violation of the government’s current policy, which mandates a freeze on new permits until a comprehensive liquor policy is finalized.

The issue of bar licences has also been a subject of intense legal scrutiny. The Kerala High Court, recognizing the government’s position that star classification alone is insufficient for granting a permit, has granted the state until November 30 to finalize a decision on a backlog of pending applications. The court’s intervention has bolstered the government’s resolve to prioritize social impact assessments over rapid commercial expansion.

Allegations of External Interference

Beyond the bureaucratic irregularities, the investigation will also look into potential external influence. Minister Liju disclosed that the department has received reports of retired excise officials allegedly interfering in the current licensing process. He characterized these actions as a blatant attempt to undermine the state’s policy framework.

“Decisions by this department have a considerable impact on society, and therefore, its actions have to be taken carefully,” the minister remarked. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cleaning up the excise department, stating that a detailed review meeting is scheduled to address the mounting complaints.

The minister issued a stern warning to those attempting to subvert state regulations, declaring that the government will not tolerate any sabotage of its established liquor policy. As the investigation progresses, the excise department is expected to undergo a major administrative restructuring to ensure that all future licensing decisions align with legal standards and public interest.

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