Kerala Congress Critiques Approval for Controversial Liquor Firm by State Government
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Synopsis
V.D. Satheesan, Kerala's Leader of Opposition, criticizes Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh for endorsing a controversial liquor firm linked to the Delhi Excise policy case. He claims the approval for the brewery in Palakkad by the Vijayan government signifies corruption, bypassing necessary tender processes and disregarding environmental concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Criticism of Liquor Firm Endorsement: V.D. Satheesan questions the approval given to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd.
- Concerns Over Corruption: Allegations of a corrupt deal in the absence of a tender process.
- Environmental Issues: Past pollution problems linked to the company in Punjab.
- Political Accountability: Calls for transparency from Chief Minister Vijayan.
- Assembly Discussion: Congress plans to raise the issue in the Assembly.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 17 (NationPress) Kerala's Opposition Leader, V.D. Satheesan, criticized the State Excise Minister, M.B. Rajesh, for praising a controversial liquor company whose owner is currently imprisoned in connection with the Delhi Excise liquor policy case.
Satheesan remarked that the approval granted by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left government to allow a private liquor firm to establish a brewery in the Palakkad district is indicative of a corrupt arrangement.
“The owner of Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd, the company in question, is incarcerated due to the dubious Delhi Excise policy case. Minister Rajesh's commendation of this company as exemplary is concerning. The Vijayan administration bypassed all regulations by issuing approval without a tender process. We must uncover the financial incentives received by the Vijayan government for permitting this liquor production,” Satheesan stated.
“This company has been authorized to operate in the water-scarce region of Palakkad. This follows a prolonged protest that led to the shutdown of a multinational Coca-Cola facility. The same company has a distillery in Punjab that has caused significant pollution issues, which have even been raised in Parliament. Still, Minister Rajesh describes it as a commendable firm,” Satheesan further elaborated.
Veteran Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala, demanded transparency from Vijayan regarding the criteria used to grant Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd permission to establish various facilities, including an ethanol plant, multi-feed distillation unit, Indian-made foreign liquor bottling unit, brewery, malt spirit plant, and a brandy/winery plant at Kanchikode in Palakkad.
“Rajesh claims that Oasis is a company registered under the Companies Act. It is absurd for a Minister to use such reasoning, as it is a basic requirement for all companies to be registered. The Vijayan government is engaged in a corrupt deal due to the absence of a tender process. Vijayan must clarify this arrangement,” Chennithala asserted.
He indicated that the Congress party would raise this matter in the Assembly, which commenced its budget session on Friday.
On January 15, the Vijayan cabinet approved Oasis to commence operations at Kanchikode.
