The Kerala government’s proposal to set up a liquor factory in Elappulla village here is facing stiff opposition from the panchayat, which recently held a grama sabha to collect signatures against the project. The grama panchayat is to explore the legal route to stop the project.
However, the state government does not seem to be disappointed with the panchayat initiative. Local Government and Excise Minister MB Rajesh said on Thursday that the panchayat is “not an independent sovereign republic” and is subject to the laws of the land. The brewery project was approved by the state cabinet on the condition that it obtains all necessary permits.
“If it gets all the necessary permits, there is no obstacle against setting it up as part of government policy,” he said, adding that “everything will be done in accordance with the law”.
The Elappully panchayat, on the other hand, plans to strongly oppose the project, saying it would adversely affect the environment and agriculture of the village and the surrounding area within a 15 kilometer radius.
Elappulla panchayat president Revathi Babu told a television channel on Thursday that a recent emergency grama sabha held in one of the village’s 22 wards was attended by hundreds of people, including members of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and most of them signed a resolution opposing the project.
She said similar special grama sabhas would be held in other wards and more signatures of people would be collected.
Ms. Babu also said that two panchayat members have already joined as parties in a case in the Kerala High Court opposing the brewery project. Apart from this, the panchayat has also decided to take legal action against the project, she added.
The panchayat president also asked the CPI ministers in the state government to strongly oppose the project from within as it was not in the interest of the people of the village.
Published – 23 Oct 2025 20:15 IST
