Kerala guzzles down liquor worth ₹59.03 crores on New year's Eve
- The state-run Beverages Corporation alone sold IMFL worth ₹ 52. 25 crores.
- In December 2016, the total liquor sales in Kerala touched ₹ 1038.09 crores
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Demonetization and currency shortage did not dampen the New Year celebrations in Kerala. As usual, they splurged money on revelries and liquor, bettering the record set during the New Year's Eve last year.
On 31 December, Keralites guzzled down liquor worth ₹ 59.03 crores! The state-run Beverages Corporation alone sold Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth ₹ 52. 25 crores. Five-star hotels and beer-wine parlours recorded sales worth ₹ 6.78 crores.
Liquor sales on New Year's Eve
- 31 December 2016: ₹59.03 cr
- 31 December 2015:₹44.61 cr
- Total consumption in December
- December 2016: ₹ 1038.09 cr
- December 2015: ₹998.83 cr
On 31 December 2015, the liquor sales in Kerala was ₹44.61 crores. Despite the currency crunch, the sales recorded a surge of nearly ₹15 crores.
IMFL sales in five years in Kerala
2011-12: ₹7227.56 cr
2012-13: ₹8097.13 cr
2013-14: ₹8549.14 cr
2014-15: ₹9194.45 cr
2015-16: ₹10,135.4 cr
In eight days during Onam celebrations this year, the national festival of Kerala, the state-run Bevco sold liquor worth ₹409.55 crore as against ₹353.08 crore in 2015.
Beer sales in five years in Kerala
2011-12: ₹ 634.18 cr
2012-13: ₹721.19 cr
2013-14: ₹801.13 cr
2014-15: ₹818.63 cr
2015-16: ₹1442.24 cr
The statistics show that Keralites continue to strive to keep the liquor consumption figures high, despite the government's policy of discouraging alcohol. In 2014, the Congress-led UDF government unveiled its liquor policy that aimed at prohibition in a phased manner. As many as 712 liquor bars were closed down as per the policy.
Tax revenue from Liquor industry in Kerala
2013-14: ₹7575 cr
2014-15: ₹ 8283 cr
2015-16: ₹9787 cr
When the Left government assumed power in May 2016, it had plans to revise the policy and to give thrust to abstinence rather than prohibition. But the Left Democratic Front government could not move ahead with his plans of revision fearing protests from prohibitionists and community organisations.
