THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Excise Minister K. Babu has said that the 418 bars that had remained closed would be allowed to serve beer and wine only after ensuring hygiene.

Mr Babu told reporters here on Tuesday that the excise officials would inspect each bar before issuing the licence to serve beer and wine. No specific timeframe had been issued for this. Necessary changes in rules to this effect were being made, he said.

The 418 bars that were listed as substandard were lying closed since April. The minister also denied reports of having any confusion in lifting the decision to observe Sundays as dry days or any other changes in the liquor policy. A decision on disposing of the liquor stock in the 418 bars was still pending, he said.

Mr. Babu also challenged Kerala Bar Hotel Owners’ working president Biju Ramesh to come up with evidence of ministers accepting bribes. Instead of making vague allegations, Biju should come up with specific evidence, the minister said.