Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday, August 16, 2011: The United Democratic Front (UDF) would hold a meeting today to review the liquor policy announced by the State government and bring about certain amendments without deviating from the fundamental principle of containing consumption of alcohol and regulating the proliferation of bars.

UDF convener PP Thankachan had earlier said that the coalition leaders would hold discussions on the liquor policy to cover up some of the shortcomings at its high-power committee meeting on August 16.

He said that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had explained the circumstances that led to the Cabinet taking a decision on the liquor policy. He agreed to the proposal to hold a detailed discussion on the finer points of the liquor policy, Thankachan said.

UDF sources said that, some of the coalition partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League, wanted the government to implement the promise in the election manifesto to devolve licensing power to the local bodies. However, the Chief Minister informed the meeting that the draft liquor policy had been circulated to the Ministers a week before the contentious Cabinet decision. Since some of them were leaders of their party in their own right, opinions could have been expressed at the Cabinet meeting, he said.

(News agency)