Popular liquor brands are in stock in bars, but not in government outlets; this is why

KOTTAYAM: Government outlets Bevco and Consumerfed have run out of popular brands of liquor due to collusion by foreign liquor traders. Only unpopular brands and the high priced ones are available in the outlets. Brands like Hercules, Honeybee, Old Monk, OCR, MCB, White Mischief etc are absent from the outlets.

The reason for the crisis is that major branded companies are not supplying alcohol to government outlets after the government imposed a tax based on annual sales. Companies with low sales are looking to use this opportunity to sell their liquor, but consumers are turning their backs on these unpopular brands. The government-owned distillery at Pulikkeezhu in Thiruvalla is not making any effort to produce more Jawan Rum.

People who regularly use popular brands clamoring in front of the outlets have become a regular sight. Some outlets are closed due to lack of supplies.

Bars that buy alcohol directly from companies have all kinds of brands. However, consumers will to pay a higher price per peg of liquor. Even though the product is more expensive, there is more sales in the bars as the product is in stock. Sales at government outlets have fell sharply.

Government may relent

The government had held discussions with liquor company representatives to resolve the shortage of branded foreign liquor. The main source of income for the salaries of government employees is the sale of liquor. It is understood that the government has given in to the demands of the liquor companies as a drop in sales would cause a financial crisis. Today's cabinet meeting is likely to take a decision to withdraw the tax on annual sales revenue.