THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the Covid-19 crisis, Keralites spent Rs 520 crores for buying liquor during the onam season. Compared to the previous year, a spike of Rs 33 crores was registered this year, but reports indicate that most of the Bevco outlets are facing a huge loss.

Compared to the last onam, a deficit of Rs 309.5 crores was registered in this onam season. BevCo’s study report points out that outlets which earn a revenue of less than Rs 10 lakh per day are under loss. BevQ app and the sale of liquor from bars are cited in the report as reasons for the present revenue loss faced by the corporation.

The total sale in the first eight days of this onam has reduced to Rs 179 crores, last year it was 488.5 crores which means a revenue deficit of 309.5 crores. Irinjalakuda and Thiruvananthapuram outlets, which stand first and second in this year’s liquor sale from BeVCo outlets, has also witnessed a reduction of 50% compared to last year.

The report further states that it is economically unfeasible to run outlets which have a revenue of less than Rs 10 lakh per day. “If the sale is not fully shifted to outlets. Then, the majority of the 270 outlets in Kerala should have to be closed down,” the report said.