Brewery row: Govindan rejects water scarcity concerns, suspects spirit lobby's involvement

Palakkad: The ruling CPM on Monday defended the Kerala government's decision to allow a private company to establish a brewery in Palakkad and raised doubts on whether the spirit lobby was behind the protests against the project. The Marxist party claimed that the opposition's protests and the controversy surrounding the brewery proposal were "politically motivated."

Speaking to reporters, CPM state secretary M V Govindan dismissed concerns about potential water scarcity if the brewery unit is set up in Elappully panchayat, arguing that only rainwater harvesting would be used to meet the water needs for the brewery.

He explained that the water required for the unit would be collected locally through rainwater harvesting, with a facility to be constructed on a five-acre plot as part of the project. Govindan also offered to engage in discussions with the company about this issue.

He rejected the opposition's claim that the brewery would increase liquor consumption in the state, asserting that the facility would initially only produce spirit. "If liquor is needed, the government has its own system. In Kerala, only the government can produce alcohol, and it can only be distributed through the State Beverages Corporation," he said.

Addressing the Congress's criticism of the government’s approval, Govindan pointed out that in Congress-ruled Karnataka, there are over 3,000 liquor distribution units, compared to just 309 in Kerala. "These allegations have a political motive. Those raising corruption claims might have the support of the spirit lobby," he alleged.

However, Govindan clarified that he was not accusing anyone of corruption, but merely suggesting that the protests might be backed by the spirit lobby, which imports over 10 crore litres of spirit into the state. He added that the establishment of brewery units would negatively impact this lobby.

When asked about local CPM opposition to the brewery, Govindan deflected, emphasising that the focus should be on the government's stance rather than individual objections.

Last week, the state cabinet granted approval to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd to set up the plant at Kanchikode in Palakkad, subject to compliance with regulations.

The Congress party has questioned the approval, alleging corruption, while the Congress-led Elappully panchayat, where the brewery is planned, also opposed the project, citing concerns over local water shortages.

The BJP also protested, accusing both the Left government and the Congress-led panchayat of complicity in the brewery’s approval. On Monday, Youth Congress activists staged a protest march to the Assembly complex against the government's decision to approve the brewery.