Kerala Assembly Committee Greenlights Pubs In IT Parks Amid Controversy

Currently, there are three prominent IT parks situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, along with two smaller ones in Kollam and another in Ernakulam district.

After the model code of conduct on June 6, the state government will grant permission for the establishment of pubs within IT parks. ( Image Source :Pixabay )

A Kerala Assembly committee, predominantly comprised of members from the ruling CPI(M)-led Left, has approved the proposal to allow the opening of pubs within IT parks across the state, despite strong objections from the Congress-led opposition.

According to sources, after the model code of conduct on June 6, the state government will grant permission for the establishment of pubs within IT parks.

Currently, there are three prominent IT parks situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode, along with two smaller ones in Kollam and another in Ernakulam district.

Initially, each park will feature one pub, which can be operated either by the promoter (the state-run society responsible for these IT parks) or by individuals authorized by the promoter.

Senior Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, a member of the Assembly committee, emphasized their staunch opposition to this proposal.

Radhakrishnan said, "Now they say there will be one pub in each IT park and you just wait and see, very soon it will be one pub in firm and several restaurants are already functioning inside these IT parks."

"They will also be keen to open these. The result will be that for the young generation of professionals working in these parks, it might not be good to oppose this inside and outside the Assembly," he said, as per a report on IANS. 

He remarked that due to the majority held by the ruling Left Front in the committee, the proposal was successfully passed. As part of the decision, it has been agreed to impose an annual fee of Rs 20 lakh from each promoter upon application for the pub.

In 2022, Kerala enacted revisions to its liquor policy, which included the authorisation of beer pubs within IT parks. This policy change also facilitated the expansion of retail outlets with enhanced amenities and the introduction of additional low-alcohol brands.