Liquor of commoners face severe shortage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a severe shortage of cheap liquor in Bevco retail outlets and bars. Many popular brands have not been available for the past two weeks.

The shortage was caused by an increase in the price of spirit (ENA). Bevco is unwilling to bring a price hike with the increase in the cost of production.

Until a month ago, the price of a litre of spirit arriving in Kerala was Rs 52-53. Now it is Rs65. It costs Rs 50 more to produce a case (9 litres) of liquor. There is no spirit production in Kerala. There are only 12 private companies' bottling units in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur districts.

The spirit is imported from Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka by paying up the cost of production and shipping. Bevco will provide alcohol as requested. A bottle of liquor delivered by the manufacturer for Rs 147 is delivered from the warehouse to the retailer for Rs 500. Retail outlets charge around Rs 600.

The price of a case (9 litres) arriving at the warehouse is Rs.670.32

Excise Duty -1063.30 Rs

Import fee - Rs 33.75 '

Total Price (Including Transporting) .. -Rs 1923.08 Rs.

Tax on sales from the warehouse -Rs 4076. 92

A case sold by Bevco to a retailer - Rs 7,200