Kerala Excise Commissioner Transferred Amid Licensing Dispute

Kerala Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao has been transferred, following public criticism from Excise Minister M. Liju regarding the unauthorized granting of bar licenses. The Minister expressed disapproval over licenses issued to a Kochi airport lounge without government consultation.

Minister Liju indicated the government is investigating whether officials used procedural loopholes to expedite approvals ahead of a new excise policy. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan confirmed that no bar licenses should be issued without government oversight. The Additional Excise Commissioner has assumed charge of the post.

Editor's note: Accurately captures the transfer of the Excise Commissioner and the context of the licensing dispute.