According to Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the lack of nightlife facilities such as pubs is cited as a disadvantage by IT companies looking to set up in the state.
The state government will look into the matter once the COVID-19 fear is over, he said, answering questions in the country’s legislative assembly.
Representatives of IT companies who prepare feasibility reports mention the lack of bars and similar infrastructure as disadvantages. The younger generation working in the IT sector also wants facilities that are also available in other IT hubs in Kerala, he said.
The state government had previously given serious thought to the issue, but the COVID-19 outbreak prevented them from developing the matter further, the Prime Minister said.
IUML’s Kurukkoli Moideen raised the issue during Question Time in the meeting. According to him, the state government had previously considered opening wine bars as part of the expansion of nightlife options for employees in the IT industry.
The announcement came at a time when there were still objections to opening more liquor stores in the state, Mr. Moideen pointed out, to see progress on the matter.