Palakkad brewery row: Kerala govt amended liquor coverage in favour of agency, alleges Opposition Chief

Kerala’s Chief of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan (file)
| Photograph Credit score: Ok Ragesh

Kerala’s Chief of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Monday (February 3, 2025) alleged that the Left entrance authorities had modified its liquor coverage in favour of the Oasis Industrial Personal Ltd, which has obtained the Cupboard approval to arrange a brewery in Elappully grama panchayat in Palakkad district.

Mr. Satheesan quoted a doc submitted by the corporate on June 16, 2023 to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) wherein they’d clearly acknowledged that it was desirous of establishing a world-class 500 KLPD (kilolitres per day) capability ethanol plant as per the course issued by the NITI Aayog and the invitation prolonged by the State authorities.

(Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh had earlier claimed that the sanction was given on the request made by the corporate.)

“The Minister’s lies have been uncovered as the appliance submitted by the corporate proved past doubt that the federal government had invited it to arrange the unit. The deal was sealed earlier than the liquor coverage was modified,” he alleged.

He accused the Excise Minister of “spreading lies” by claiming that the sanction was given because the Indian Oil Firm (IOC) had agreed to buy ethanol from the agency. The paperwork confirmed that the federal government had invited it even earlier than the tender proceedings had been initiated by the IOC in reference to the acquisition of ethanol, he mentioned.

Mr. Satheesan mentioned the agency had acknowledged in its utility that it was relying on the water assets out there with the KWA, KINFRA and different sources, although there was no point out of the every day requirement. “Curiously, the Superintendent Engineer of the KWA gave a reply on the date of receiving the appliance stating that water will be made out there from the KINFRA venture,” he mentioned.

Union Ministers slammed

Mr. Satheesan termed Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s remark that “high-born” people could lead on the Union Ministry of Tribal Tribal Affairs quite than a member of the neighborhood as “immature”.

He additionally slammed the comment by Union Minister George Kurian that Kerala ought to declare itself “a socially and economically backward” State, if it had been to obtain budgetary help for much less developed State. “We’re not asking for his or her mercy. It’s the due of the State from the taxes remitted to the Central exchequer that we’re entitled to,” he mentioned.

On studies that the federal government has plans to gather toll for the roads constructed utilizing funds below the Kerala Infrastructure Funding Fund Board (KIIFB), Mr. Satheesan mentioned that it was not sensible.