Thiruvananthapuram: The Pinarayi government has given importance to the liquor trade amidst the intensified preventive measures against coronavirus in the state. The state government has sanctioned six new bars. Two bars each in Wayanad and Malappuram, Kannur and Thrissur each have been allotted bars. These bars will be opened after the lockdown.
The excise department said the bars were approved in February and March. The decision to grant permission to open bars were given after assembly was suspended in the wake of coronavirus. This will surely spark further controversy.
At the same time, the chief minister had said that the closure of bars during lockdown would create major social problems.
Meanwhile, an advertisement with Pinarayi Vijayan has been posted over 500 KSRTC buses across Kerala as part of a campaign against drug use. The state government had informed the legislature that it had spent Rs 1,01,77,500 on advertising for the campaign.