Amid demand from leaders of some Hindu outfits seeking a ban on wine served in churches, Kerala excise minister K Babu on Wednesday said the government has no intention of banning the use of liquor for religious rituals.Babu said if wine was used in churches, there were temples in the state where liquor and toddy was served as part of rituals.He also ruled out closing down the beer and wine parlours in the state, but added that it has been decided to raise the license fee from the current Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The government is also working out a rehabilitation package for workers rendered jobless by closure of bars. An additional cess of five per cent on liquor sales in operating outlets will be imposed to take care of the package finances, he said.Meanwhile, many clubs in Kerala are trying for the five-star status, as only five stars will be allowed to serve liquor as per the new policy.The officials of the Trivandrum Club, one of the oldest clubs in the state, have already informed the government that the new policy will affect the revenue and have sought five-star status.On August 21, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had announced that the government, apart from the 418 bars already closed, will shut down 312 more bars. Also, beginning April next year, only five-star bars will be allowed to function. He also announced that no new state-run beverages outlets will be opened and assured closure of existing outlets in a phased manner.The liquor issue has kept Kerala politics and the ruling Congress divided, along with its allies, as Kerala Congress president V M Sudheeran on Wednesday alleged “communal and casteist” attempts to sabotage the new liquor policy. Sudheeran was instrumental in Chandyled government announcing the new prohibition policy.Senior leader and former defence minister A K Antony described the latest feud within the Congress as nothing but a “storm in the teacup” and hoped that differences will be settled soon.