Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 19 -- The Kerala government issued an order permitting bars and beer and wine parlours in the state to extend their operating hours by 2 hours, with the aim of promoting tourism. The earlier 10 am to 10 pm operating hour schedule has now been modified to 10 am to midnight.

On Wednesday, excise minister MB Rajesh said that the decision to amend timings and bring uniformity was taken after evaluating the situation in other southern states as well. "The operating hours of bars were extended till midnight already in tourist areas of our state. Now, we have effected the change statewide in order to bring uniformity," he said.

The order, issued on February 17, states that the changes in the timings of bars and beer pa...