PALAKKAD: Arch-rivals Congress and BJP joined an ongoing protest against a proposed private brewery in Left-governed Kerala, with both parties planting their flags at the site in Palakkad district Sunday.
Excise minister MB Rajesh dismissed the protests as politically motivated.
Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan of Congress criticised the project by Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd, saying a brewery was unnecessary at Chuttipara in Elapully panchayat. “The minister’s defence of the liquor company is proof of receiving crores of kickback. Govt has said the water authority would supply water to the unit, while people are struggling for drinking water.”
Congress MLA VD Satheesan called the minister the propaganda manager for the company. “The owners of this company are involved in the Delhi liquor policy case, and were charged by central and state pollution control boards for contaminating groundwater in Punjab. Why was permission granted to such a company?” he asked.
Satheesan also questioned the transparency of the approval process: “Did any distillery operating in Kerala know about govt’s decision to change the liquor policy and allow alcohol production? No other company in the country, apart from this one operating in MP and Punjab, knew about the policy change.”
Rajesh said the brewery had received preliminary approval following compliance with existing laws and regulations. “Facts will be presented before the public. No exploitation of water will be allowed. Approval was given after examining all these factors,” he said. Elapully panchayat announced an emergency meeting on Monday to pass a resolution against the proposed brewery.