Lakshadweep allows serving of liquor in govt. guest houses in eight islands to boost tourism

The Lakshadweep administration has issued an order permitting liquor to be served in eight authorities guest houses below the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports activities (SPORTS), the nodal company for tourism promotion in the Union Territory. The transfer, in an in any other case dry area, is taken into account as half of tourism promotion.

As per the order, liquor will likely be served in guest houses positioned in Kadamat, Agatti, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat, Amini, Andrott, and Bitra islands. The directive, issued by Lakshadweep Collector R. Giri Sankar below Regulation 19 (1)(b) of the Lakshadweep Prohibition Regulation, 1979, got here into impact on February 17. The licence has been issued to the final supervisor of SPORTS to possess liquor and concern it to individuals or establishments holding a sound allow or licence below the Regulation. The licence will stay legitimate for one 12 months from the date of notification of the order.

In accordance to sources in the administration, licences had earlier been issued to allow liquor in tourism huts in Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Kadamat islands. The newest order extends the ability to State guest houses in islands with out tourism huts, they mentioned.

Strict situations

The licence comes with strict situations. Possession of liquor will likely be permissible solely throughout the premises of the licenced facility. Liquor shall be served completely to legitimate allow holders or individuals holding licences below the regulation. A separate inventory register have to be maintained detailing liquor possessed and served. Transportation of liquor would require separate permission specifying amount and different particulars. Particulars of allow holders who devour liquor have to be recorded on the licenced premises and submitted month-to-month to the authorities. Any violation will appeal to cancellation of the licence and punishment below the Prohibition Regulation.

Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed has termed the order “unacceptable” and demanded its fast withdrawal. He recalled that in 2021, liquor retailers had been permitted in 4 islands below the pretext of selling tourism, regardless of public opposition. Extending liquor distribution to extra islands, he warned, would improve alcohol habit amongst youth and lead to legislation and order in addition to social issues.

Congress committees in all islands have already submitted protest letters to the District Collector in search of withdrawal of the order. The occasion management has additionally said that authorized motion will likely be initiated if corrective measures should not taken.