Govt, Oppn spar over nod for distillery at Kanjikode

The Congress has sought an explanation from the LDF government after it gave permission to a liquor company, The Oasis Group, to establish plants to produce Indian-made foreign liquor, ethanol and spirit, wine, malt extraction and beer in Kanjikode, Palakkad.

- KS SREEJITH @T'Puram

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, state Congress president K Sudhakaran and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala have alleged that there was mystery in granting permission to the distillery.

Satheesan demanded that the government explain on what basis the permission was given. "How was a single company selected? The government should also explain the criteria on which it was selected?," he said.

He also said that since 1999 the state had not given permission to new liquor production units. "How was a change brought in the policy?" he asked.

Sudhakaran has demanded the withdrawal of the decision. Chennithala also alleged corruption in giving permission to the company.