THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Not a single drop of alcohol will be available for two days this week in Kerala. Beverages Corporation outlets will remain closed on October 1 and the next day which is Gandhi Jayanti. The 1st of every month is a holiday because it is a dry day. The Gandhi Jayanti holiday on October 2nd is also applicable to liquor shops. This is the reason why not a single drop of liquor will be available in Kerala for two days this week.
As it is a close two-day holiday, there is a possibility of a rush in front of beverage outlets in the state tomorrow (September 30). Departments, including the police, are busy making preparations accordingly. The Beverages Corporation is a department that gets very few holidays as compared to other government departments.
Although holidays are coming up, it is unlikely to affect sales. Malayalees have the habit of stocking up liquor in advance of holidays. At the same time, there is a high possibility of sale in the black market by charging exorbitant prices in view of the holidays. The police and excise department are preparing for a strong check to nab such people. There is a possibility of a special drive in the coming days.
There was an increase in the sale of liquor in the state during the Onam season. Liquor worth Rs 818.21 crore was sold this year. Last year, it was Rs 809 crore. The sale of liquor had increased in the two days after Thiruvonam. This is an additional gain of Rs 9 crore over last year. This is the sales up to the Chathayam day of the Onam season. Between September 6 and September 17, liquor worth Rs 818.21 crore was sold in total. Liquor worth Rs 809.25 crore was sold during the same period last year.
Liquor worth Rs 701 crore was sold in nine days till Uthiradam day. Last year, liquor worth Rs 715 crore was sold on the same days. More liquor was sold on the two days after Thiruvonam, surpassing the total sales of the previous year.