THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Excise department has relaxed norms for online liquor sales on account of the Onam festival season. The department has decided to increase the number of tokens required per day to buy liquor. As of now, only 400 tokens are issued per day, and it will be increased to 600 tokens and the liquor sale will also be allowed from 9 am to 7 pm.

The Excise department has clarified that restrictions were eased in order to reduce heavy rush witnessed during the festive season. Earlier, once liquor was bought online, next order could be placed only after 3 days; this restriction was also eased temporarily. Tokens could only be booked via the BevQ application of the Excise department.

Direct liquor sale through the outlet of BevCo and Consumerfed decreased considerably since the online sale started. BevCo and Consumerfed employees had raised objection to the Government’s online liquor sale due to this. The decision to increase tokens was taken following this.