THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the last financial year, Bevco outlets paid around Rs 20 crore as building rent. There are outlets with a rent of up to Rs 1 lakh per month. Apart from this security deposit should also be paid.

New standards are being introduced to end this method. The fixing of new rent will based on the monthly rent of the buildings occupied by Government Institutions, Banks and Public Sector Undertakings at each location.

At the end of the lease agreement, the new rate will be determined on the basis of area the shop covers. Bevco is taking the shops on a three-year contract.

Most Bevco shops pay high rent for buildings. In Thiruvananthapuram, the monthly rent for the shop at Gaurishapattom is close to Rs 1 lakh. The Panampatta shop in Pathanapuram taluk have a monthly rent of Rs 90,000. Such huge rental agreement has been signed on the grounds that other buildings are not available. In the context of Bevco's financial crisis, a strict stand was taken on rent issue. Out of the total 270 shops in the state, not a single one has its own building. Rs 19,94,61,955 is the amount paid by Bevco during the financial year 2021-22 as rent. 68 Bevco shops which were closed down will also be opened soon.