Liquor shops to remain shut for two days in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There will be no liquor sales in Kerala for the next two days due to the Onam holiday. Liquor shops will remain completely closed on Thiruvonam and Chathayam days. Taking note of the upcoming holidays, long queues were seen at Bevco outlets across Kerala on Thursday. There was also a huge rush at premium counters. Officials expect record sales this time.

As per last year's figures, liquor worth Rs 124 crore was sold through Bevco on Uthradam Day 2024. The year before that, sales of Rs 116 crore were also recorded. Looking at this pattern, authorities estimate that liquor sales on Uthradam Day this year will likely be an all-time high. Bevco has 278 outlets and 155 self-service outlets in the state.

Apart from Thiruvonam, the beverage outlets will be closed on September 7 on the occasion of Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi and on September 21 on the occasion of Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day. Considering Bevco's record sales and additional income, a huge bonus was announced for the employees this year. This year's Onam bonus is Rs 1,02,500.

Last year, the Onam bonus for employees was Rs 95,000. The year before that, the bonus for permanent employees was Rs 90,000.