Kerala Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao transferred amid licence dispute
The transfer follows a row over bar and horti-wine licences issued while the state formulates a new liquor policy.
The Kerala government has transferred Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao on Friday amid a dispute over bar and horti-wine licences, according to reports by Urban Acres, Onmanorama and Mathrubhumi.
An order from the General Administration Department relieved Rao of his duties with immediate effect. He has been posted as Special Secretary in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department and will additionally hold charge of the Backward Classes Development Department.
The transfer follows dissatisfaction expressed by Excise Minister M Liju regarding licensing decisions. The minister had previously suspended two Excise Deputy Commissioners, P K Satish and P L Shibu, for granting licences to three beer parlours in Muvattupuzha, Kochi and Pala.
Minister Liju stated that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government is preparing a new liquor policy and no licences should be issued under the previous policy until the framework is finalised. The minister also objected to a horti-wine licence issued to a bakery chain in Chalakudy.
Rao defended the decision to grant licences to two bars in the Nedumbassery airport lounge, stating he followed existing rules. He also claimed he had not seen a government directive issued on August 4 regarding the suspension of new licences.
Liju rejected the link between the transfer and the licensing row, describing the move as a routine administrative decision. The minister said the UDF government's liquor policy will be presented by the end of November.
The Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) will hold the charge of Excise Commissioner until further orders.