Thiruvananthapuram: Aiming to attract tourists, the cabinet meeting approved the revised liquor policy, which includes changes such as allowing alcohol to be served at functions and conferences organized on the first day in hotels above three stars.
Dry day exemption is for hotels where weddings and international conferences are held. Liquor must be served only after obtaining special permission from the Excise Commissioner. The fee is half a lakh rupees. The bar cannot be opened on the day of obtaining special permission.
Liquor will also be allowed on special vessels in the tourism sector on dry days. Permission will be given to vessels including cruise boats. Houseboats will not be included in this category. Toddy can also be served in hotels up to three stars. Toddy must be purchased from shops in the range where the hotels are located.
Toddy will also be allowed to be distributed in restaurants attached to shops. Toddy shops that do not go to auction can be taken over and run by a group of workers. The 400-meter radius of shops will continue. Club-style bars in IT parks are also in the policy this time. The policy also states that the license fee for bars will continue to be 35 lakhs.
