ALAPPUZHA: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday demanded that the state government withdraw approval for the brewery project in Palakkad’s Elappully panchayat, alleging that the firm, Oasis, was granted permission to set it up without proper consent of government departments and LDF coalition partners.
He alleged that Oasis was a notorious company connected to the Delhi liquor policy scam. “The CPI is already against the project. JD(S) too has expressed disapproval.
When I raised questions about the project in the assembly, the chief minister opposed my arguments. The excise minister was also not ready to respond. Their stance is suspicious,” Chenithala told reporters.
He said during E K Nayanar’s tenure, permission for a brewery was granted by adhering to laws and following procedures. “Advertisements inviting applications were given, firms were shortlisted and selection was made accordingly.
Here, permission was granted by altering the liquor policy, which constitutes favouritism, nepotism, and corruption,” Chennithala said. He said while the excise minister said the project will be implemented using rainwater harvesting, experts have pointed out that storing all the rainwater in the area is not feasible.