THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The relaxations in the liquor policy decided by the cabinet on Thursday are likely to be effective from Saturday, paving the way for removing the norm for dry day on Sunday and opening of 418 bars lying closed since April.

Chief secretary Bharat Bhushan told DC that the minutes of the cabinet had already been approved by the Chief Minister and that there would not be much delay in issuing the formal orders. “We hope to issue the government order in this regard on Saturday itself,” he said.

Mr Raveendra Kumar Agarwal, who has taken over as the new taxes secretary, had discussions on the matter with other officials.

Excise department sources said that the16 outlets of Beverages Corporation alongside highways would be closed by December 31.

Though 169 outlets are on the sides of national and state highways, the 16 will be identified considering factors like proximity to other outlets and prone to accidents.

Out of the 338 Bevco outlets, 34 were closed down by October 2. Meanwhile, the major chunk of the liquor stock in the 418 bars has already been transferred to other bars, said sources.