THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than half the liquor shops in the state would have to down shutters, going by the recent Supreme Court verdict on liquor sales, the Law Secretary has reportedly advised the government.
It is understood that the government has been advised to file a revision petition in the apex court against the verdict. According to the Tax Secretary’s advice, the verdict would dent the government’s tax revenue in a big way.
The apex court, in an order earlier this month, had said that all liquor shops in the country functioning on national and state highways must close by April 1, 2017.
The government had sought legal advice after it came to light that the verdict would not only affect the liquor outlets run by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, but also hundreds of privately-run beer and wine parlours. This would hit tax revenue.