The 418 bars declared sub-standard should not be shut down at one go as it would hit the livelihood of 21,000 employees, Kerala Congress (Jacob) chairman Johnny Nelloor said on Thursday.
‘’The bars should be given time to upgrade. That is our opinion,’’ he said, briefing the media on the party’s state office-bearers’ meeting held here on Thursday. The rehabilitation of the employees in these bars should be taken up by the government in a parallel manner, he said.
Thursday’s KC (Jacob) meeting reviewed the UDF prospects in the Lok Sabha elections, he said. The party’s stand was that CMP and JSS should be taken as allies in the UDF fold.
Nelloor predicted a UDF victory in 12-16 seats. In the remaining seats, it was unclear as to who would win, he said.
“The UDF worked with an unprecedented unity this time. We are of the opinion that this unity should be carried forward to the panchayat/municipality elections and the Assembly elections. The UDF mechanism has to be strengthened at the grassroots level,’’ he said.
In the Idukki seat, UDF candidate Dean Kuriakose will win, albeit by a small margin, he said.
The Oommen Chandy Government should give top priority to strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS). PDS has been earmarked insufficient funds in the state budget, he said.
“A sum of `90 crore is needed a month to meet the subsidies in the sector. But only `60 crore has been earmarked for PDS in the budget. The government should also provide funds to pay `350 crore due to farmers by way of paddy procurement price,’’ Nelloor said.
The party, he added, will present these issues at the upcoming UDF meet on April 29.