Liquor store at bus stands? KSRTC proposes to rent out vacant shops in its buildings to Bevco outlets

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 05: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Saturday proposed to rent out the vacant shops in its buildings across the state to the government-run Beverages corporation.

The suggestion was put forward by KSRTC MD Biju Prabhakar after considering the fact that there were many shops and rooms lying vacant in the corporation-owned bus depots across the state. The state-run KSRTC had earlier issued a proposal to all government departments to rent out its vacant shops and rooms on its premises all across the state.

Earlier, the Kerala High Court had asked the government to arrange better facilities for those who want to buy liquor. The court's direction came after taking note of the serpentine queue in front of the Bevco outlets. Transport Minister Antony Raju said anyone can operate from KSRTC buildings as long as it is a legal business and ready to give rent to the corporation.

"Many shops owned by KSRTC are closed for many years as there is no one to take it out for rent. Many government offices are currently operating from private establishments and paying huge rent. So all legal establishments can be permitted to operate from vacant shops in KSRTC buildings. We have informed all government departments about the vacant rooms," Raju told the media.

Allaying the concern over opening Bevco outlets in KSRTC buildings where public visits regularly, Raju said no one can consume liquor inside the bus stand and already it is not permitted to consume liquor near Bevco outlets also.

"So this is not going to cause any issue," he said. However, the Kerala Cathollic Bishops Council (KCBC) opposed the proposal and said it will further affect the prospects of the KSRTC as people will avoid the bus stand.

Sources from Beverages corporation told PTI that the proposal was a viable one as many of its outlets are currently operating from privately-owned buildings paying huge rent and now that rent will go to the KSRTC.