By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram: The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), the women’s wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Sunday opposed the Kerala government’s proposal to allow the opening of more bars in the state.
Speaking to reporters here after a meeting of AIDWA’s Kerala unit, state secretary and former CPI-M legislator K.K. Shailaja said the decision was wrong.
“Their decision to give sanction to open 422 bars is appalling and this cannot be allowed at any cost. On one hand, they say they will make 21 years as the minimum age for a person to consume liquor, and on the other hand, they give licenses to so many bars…it is nothing but double standards,” said Shailaja.
The AIDWA, the youth wing of the CPI-M and other affiliates have organised several anti-liquor campaigns earlier.
“On Monday, we will hold anti-liquor campaigns across the state and strengthen the village level anti-liquor committees,” added Shailaja.
Liquor sales in Kerala for the 2010-11 fiscal reached an all-time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore, compared to Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10.
The record sales have made the state government coffers richer by Rs.5,239 crore.