Palakkad brewery row: Kerala govt amended liquor policy in favour of firm, alleges Opposition Leader

Kerala's Opposition Leader exposes government favoritism in liquor policy, challenges ministers' claims, and criticizes Union Ministers' remarks.

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Monday (February 3, 2025) alleged that the Left front government had changed its liquor policy in favour of the Oasis Commercial Private Ltd, which has received the Cabinet approval to set up a brewery in Elappully grama panchayat in Palakkad district.

Mr. Satheesan quoted a document submitted by the company on June 16, 2023 to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) in which they had clearly stated that it was desirous of setting up a world-class 500 KLPD (kilolitres per day) capacity ethanol plant as per the direction issued by the NITI Aayog and the invitation extended by the State government.

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

“The Minister’s lies have been exposed as the application submitted by the company proved beyond doubt that the government had invited it to set up the unit. The deal was sealed before the liquor policy was changed,” he alleged.

He accused the Excise Minister of “spreading lies” by claiming that the sanction was given as the Indian Oil Company (IOC) had agreed to purchase ethanol from the firm. The documents showed that the government had invited it even before the tender proceedings were initiated by the IOC in connection with the purchase of ethanol, he said.

Mr. Satheesan said the firm had stated in its application that it was depending on the water resources available with the KWA, KINFRA and other sources, though there was no mention of the daily requirement. “Interestingly, the Superintendent Engineer of the KWA gave a reply on the date of receiving the application pointing out that water can be made available from the KINFRA project,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan termed Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s comment that “high-born” individuals could lead the Union Ministry of Tribal Tribal Affairs rather than a member of the community as “immature”.