Close down liquor outlets in Kerala in view of coronavirus: Chandy to govt

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress veteran and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy on Monday urged the LDF government to close down state-run liquor outlets in view of the outbreak of coronavirus in the state.

"With coronavirus spreading in the state, the outlets under the state-run Beverages Corporation and Consumerfed should be closed down to avoid gathering of a large number of people," he said.

In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he also submitted seven proposals, including a moratorium on various loans taken by people and financial aid to the needy who are under house surveillance, as part extending maximum support to the common people during the time of the ongoing distress.

The annual school exams for the eighth and ninth standards, scheduled on March 20, 27 and 30, should be cancelled, the two-time chief minister suggested.

Claiming that the coronavirus spread has completely destroyed the economy, he said a one-year moratorium should be given to the loans taken from banks and cooperative institutions.

The dues of welfare pensioners should be distributed at the earliest, he urged.

Effective steps should be taken, in coordination with the union government, to bring back all Keralites, including fishermen trapped in Iran, stranded in various countries the Congress leader added in his letter.

Chandy said the proposals were intended to prevent the spread of the disease, ensure the better treatment to patients and to minimise the difficulties of the general public.