Kerala Excise minister M B Rajesh
Credit: Facebook/MB Rajesh
Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala has alleged that the Congress is opposing the proposed distillery and brewery project at Palakkad district owing to influence of the spirit manufacturers of Karnataka and Maharashtra, which included Congress leaders and a minister.
Excise minister M B Rajesh said that major chuck of spirit required for Kerala is being brought from Karnataka and Maharashtra.
"Many of the firms in Karnataka supplying spirit to Kerala are headed by Congress leaders including women and child development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. That could be the reason why the Congress leaders from Kerala are opposing the moves to set up a distillery in Kerala," Rajesh said.
He also asked Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala to clarify whether he held any talks with liquor manufacturers of Maharashtra recently.
Ethanol and extra neutral alcohol worth around Rs 3,000 core is being purchased by companies in Kerala from other states, mostly Karnataka and Maharashtra. Hence the proposed distillery at Palakkad in Kerala could help in considerable cost saving for the firms in the state and will also earn tax revenue for the state, he said.
Meanwhile, resentment is brewing within the ruling Left Democratic Front also over the proposal of Oasis Commercial for setting up the distillery and brewery unit at Perumatty in Palakkad.
While CPI state secretary Benoy Viswam indirectly opposed the project by stating on Tuesday that the party would oppose any project that affected water resources, CPI national council member Sathyan Mokeri also raised objections. He said in a write up in the party mouthpiece Janayugam that the priority should be revival of the paddy cultivation in the region instead of setting up liquor making units. He also pointed out that the region was already suffering drop in rainfall and suffering ground water scarcity.
However, Rajesh reiterated that ground water would not be used for the proposed project. Only water from rain water harvesting and the water provided for industrial purposes would be used. "We will convince the CPI about it," said Rajesh.
Opposition Congress alleged that the cabinet decided to allow the distillery project without consulting any other departments concerned. The excise minister was acting like a spokesperson of the private company by highlighting it as a major firm despite the fact that it was involved in the Delhi liquor policy scam and faced allegations of polluting groundwater in Haryana, opposition leader V D Satheesan alleged.
Rajesh reacted that only preliminary sanction was given for the firm and hence no other departments were consulted.