KOCHI: The Consumerfed’s move to relocate its liquor outlet and premium shop from Vyttila to Jawahar Nagar, near Kadavanthra, has drawn flak from the residents and political parties.
Ever since the Consumerfed opened the outlet in a two-storeyed building, the residents and political activists had staged a protest. The outlet was shifted to abide by an apex court order.
Though the outlet started functioning on Tuesday, protesters did not permit sales on Wednesday from both its counters. Following this, the police were deployed. Representatives of the BJP, UDF and DYFI said the Consumerfed’s move to open an outlet near an anganwadi in a residential area could not be justified. “Rules say liquor outlets should not function near education institutions but here it is situated barely 50 m away from the anganwadi. Moreover, the residential area is very near. So we won’t allow the outlet to be opened at any cost,” said K E Pradeep, a DCC member.
Thrikkakkara MLA P T Thomas said the spot identified was unscientific. “As the outlet is located near a sharp curve it will result in traffic congestion in the area. There is a vacant plot belonging to the KWA adjacent to the outlet which could be used by antisocial elements to consume liquor,” he said.
Interestingly, despite the protests the outlet saw sales of `2.18 lakh in two days. While `2 lakh was collected on the opening day, the rest of the sales took place amidst Wednesday’s protests.
“This is just a political drama as some protesters too purchased liquor from here,” said Jiju K G, the outlet’s manager. The premium outlet at Vyttila had recorded the highest sales of `1.02 crore in the state on New Year’s eve.