In a move to digitise the sales of liquor in Kerala, the Kerala State Beverages (Marketing & Manufacturing) Corporation Limited (BEVCO) has sent a proposal to the state government to allow home delivery through online sales.
According to a report by NDTV, the initiative aims to increase revenue generation and reduce overcrowding at the outlets. The proposal has been sent to the government and is under consideration.
Once approved, the proposal could only be turned into reality with amendments in the state Abkari Act. According to the proposal, a person needs to be 23 years of age to make online orders for liquor. To avoid infringement of the proposed condition, the age verification step would be mandatory.
It is the first time such a proposal has been made. However, a virtual queue system using a web application was indeed introduced during the lockdowns. But the home delivery system was not implemented.
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Kerala has fewer retail outlets as compared to other neighbouring states. The BEVCO operates only 278 outlets. Not only the number of stores, but also per capita is much less than in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
This leads to overcrowding and long queues at the outlets. This is the primary reason that a setup of online delivery is being navigated. And like other states, liquor is a major source of revenue generation for Kerala. In fiscal year 2023-24, the state generated Rs 19,000 crores in liquor sales.
The BEVCO believes that the online sale and home delivery will further increase the sales, especially of premium brands, and add more money to the state revenues.
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However, the proposal has also faced strong opposition and criticism from anti-alcohol social groups. They have argued that increased sales might add to state revenue but will also give rise to alcoholism.