THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala today said it would abide by court directions with regard to the ban on liquor shops within 500 metres of National and State highways.
Talking to reporters here, state excise minister T P Ramakrishnan said the liquor vends on Kannur-Kuttipuram national highways that were opened have been closed following a directive from the High Court. "We will implement the directions of the High Court," he said.
The state government would not try to circumvent the supreme court order in the matter, he said.
The government had permitted reopening of 13 liquor shops in the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram. Permission was also given to five toddy shops in Kozhikode and four in Kannur.
In addition, one KSBC outlet was allowed to reopen in Kozhikode while two outlets were given permission in Kannur.
The minister said orders have been issued to close all these outlets. The Kerala High Court had yesterday directed the state government to ensure that none of the liquor bars opened on the basis of its last week order on pleas of bar owners, functioned till the disposal of a review plea related to the matter.