Kerala government allows bars in hotels within 50 metres of schools and places of worship
The new rule applies to hotels rated four star and above, but three-star ones will have to stick to the current 200-metre restriction.
The Kerala government has decided to reduce the distance between bars in hotels and educational institutes and places of worship from 200 metres to 50 metres, The Hindu reported on Friday. This new rule applies to four-star, five-star, five-star deluxe and heritage hotels.
However, three-star hotels will have to maintain the existing distance from schools, colleges, temples, mosques, churches and SC/ST colonies, according to the government order issued on Tuesday.
Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan said the Left Democratic Front government had amended the rule based on the Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh’s recommendation. Several hoteliers, especially in tourist destinations, had brought to his attention the difficulties they faced because of the 200-m rule.