Kerala Set To Open Liquor Outlets From Wednesday, Mobile App To Issue Tokens For Purchase

The Kerala Government has decided to open liquor outlets in the state from Wednesday (20 May) with tokens to purchase liquor to be issued through a mobile app.

Malayalam daily Malayala Manorama reported that the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) outlets, special counters at bars, and wine and beer parlours will open from Wednesday.

The mobile app, which will hand out the tokens, will help tipplers choose the nearest outlet that is less crowded. The timings will likely be announced by the Pinarayi Vijayan Government in a day or two.

Tipplers will now have to pay more for their favourite drink as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the state has decided to raise taxes on liquor by 10 to 35 per cent.

Taxes on wine and beer have been raised by 10 per cent, while an additional cess of 10 per cent will be levied on liquor bottles below 600ml. All other forms of alcohol will incur a 35 per cent tax.

Kerala earns Rs 2,500 crore annually as taxes through the sale of liquor. Sales during 2018-19 fiscal were reported at Rs 14,500 crore.

Kerala was expected to resume sale of liquor, suspended since the nation-wide lockdown was announced on 24 March, today (18 May) but it has got delayed. The nation-wide lockdown was announced to tackle the spread of novel Coronavirus that had attained pandemic proportions.

In between, the state, concerned over suicides by tipplers suffering from withdrawal symptoms, planned to issue licences to buy liquor. The move was, however, stayed by the Kerala High Court.

Till now, Kerala has reported 601 Coronavirus cases with four deaths. The spread of the pandemic has been controlled in most of the districts.