KCBC flays government move to open new bars

The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has strongly disapproved of the plan by the state government to allow 30 more bars to come up in hotels. The two-day counsellors camp of the KCBC’s Anti-Alcoholism Commission has concluded that the move by the government would lead to more suicides.

The commission felt that there were alcohol lobbies within the government. “It is not correct to allow more bars in Kerala which is the number one state in the nation when it comes to alcoholism, said advocate Charly Paul, president of the commission.

“The government should try to bring down alcohol consumption. It is a form of cheating by the government, which had publicly declared it wanted to end alcoholism. The same government which said that bars should be open only after 5 pm should never have allowed the opening of more bars, if they are sincere. It is also the responsibility of the government to stop the sale of spurious liquor.

Fr Antony Puthiyaparambil, National Mission League director, presided over the closing ceremony of the two-day camp held at the Renewal Centre, Kaloor.

Apart from the presidential speech by Charly Paul, others who spoke included Fr George Nereveetil, director of the Anti-Alcoholism Movement of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, Fr Paul Karachira, Fr George Pareman, Fr Jose Mappilamattel, C Johnkutty, VP Jose, Chandy Jose, Jacob Mundakkal, Sr Mariyusa, Sr Benissi, K V Johny and K V Chackochen. People from all religions from all over the state who work in the field took part.