Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21 (IANS) Alcohol sales in Kerala are expected to touch Rs.200 crore during this Onam season that starts Aug 26. Liquor shops in the state are well-stocked to meet the high demand.
Kerala State Beverages Corp (KSBC), the sole wholesaler of Indian made foreign liquor and beer in the state, said during the last Onam season, liquor sales crossed Rs.160 crore and it would likely touch Rs.200 crore this year.

“The 10-day festival will start from August 26. During this year’s Onam period, there are two dry days,” N. Sankar Reddy, managing director of KSBC, told IANS.

This year Thiru Onam, the most important day during the 10-day festival, falls Sep 2.

The first day of the month is dry day in the state. But, Reddy said the corporation has requested the state government to allow liquor sales Sep 1, as it is First Onam.

“This time since First Onam falls on September 1, we have requested the state government to lift the restrictions only for that day. We are yet to hear from the government,” Reddy said.

Meanwhile, KSBC has reported huge growth in sales in the first four months this fiscal despite the economic downturn.

“Sales of IMFL and beer have gone up to Rs.1,746.84 crore in April-July this year as compared to Rs.1,483.99 in the like period last year,” Reddy said.

In quantity terms, IMFL sales went up to 63 lakh cases from from 59 lakh cases, while beer sales increased to to 25.6 lakh cases as against 23.4 lakh cases, he added.

Also, KSBC’s contribution to the state exchequer by way of taxes also jumped from Rs.1,163 crore to Rs.1,356 crore during the same period.