Electronic lock to be delivered to prevent theft of spirit to manufacture Jawan rum

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The spirit (ENA-Extra Neutral Alcohol) to manufacture the common man's favourite brand 'Javan Rum' will arrive in tanker lorries equipped with an electronic locking system from next month. Irregularities were detected earlier in the supply of spirit to Travancore Sugars and Chemicals in Thiruvalla, a PSU that manufactures Jawan. The Excise Enforcement had registered a case after finding that the spirit brought to the company was stolen. The new system is being introduced to get rid of this bad reputation.

After leaving the distillery with the load, the spirit can be moved out by opening the tanker only after reaching Travancore Sugars. Travancore Sugars will need 1,40,000 litres of spirit per day from April as it is ramping up liquor production from 8,000 cases to 15,000 cases.

Zoom Distilleries of Madhya Pradesh and SPY Agroproducts of Andhra Pradesh, which participated in the tender to supply ENA for the next three months, were the ones who recorded the lowest prices. Spirit is currently being bought at Rs 72 per litre. After negotiating with the two companies, the contract will be awarded to the company that reduces the price again. The government brought a small hike in the price of liquor when the price of spirit rose from Rs 60 to Rs 70 per litre.