Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala urges Kerala govt to roll back Palakkad brewery decision

Ramesh Chennithala criticises Kerala government for alleged favoritism in allowing liquor major to establish manufacturing units in Palakkad.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday (January 22, 2025) demanded that the Kerala government roll back the Cabinet decision to allow a global liquor major to establish ethanol and spirit manufacturing units in Palakkad district.

Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Mr. Chennithala said the decision to choose Oasis Commercial Private Limited to set up the facility in “water-scarce Elapully panchayat reeks of favouritism, nepotism and corruption.”

Mr. Chennithala used the Rule 285 of the Rules of Procedure to raise the allegation during the discussion after giving prior intimation to the Speaker.

He said that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had in its previous tenure attempted to award licences to three breweries and one distillery in 2018. However, the government had to withdraw the decision following sustained protests from the Opposition. The case he had filed in this regard is still pending in the Kerala High Court after the government obtained a stay, he said.

“Now, the government is making another attempt, which is similar to what happened in the Delhi Excise policy case. The changes in the liquor policy landed (former) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in jail. For whose benefit did the Kerala Cabinet take this decision? How was this particular company, which is facing allegations in the Delhi case, chosen for setting up the facility? Is this the only liquor manufacturing company in the country?,” asked Mr. Chennithala.

He said that the government has been unable to provide enough water supply to the public sector company Malabar Distilleries Limited. However, it is promising to supply water to the private company. “The decision was taken without any scientific study and without consulting the local panchayat,” he said.

Regarding the CAG report that the State exchequer suffered significant losses through the irregular purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits by Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (KMSCL) during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Chennithala said the report “vindicates” the allegations he had raised when he was the Leader of the Opposition.