Kochi: Are Malayalis drinking alcoholic beverages with no limits at all? As per recent data on liquor sales released by the Beverages Corporation (Bevco), answer is in the affirmative. There has been an increase of one lakh litre in Keralites’ daily consumption of alcohol in the past two years, states data. 

According to Bevco reports, the daily liquor sales in Kerala, which were five lakh litres in 2021, has now jumped to six lakh litres in 2023 (data till May). From May 2021 to May 2023, 41,68,60,913 litres of foreign liquor was sold in the state. That is, six lakh litres of alcohol are sold on an average. 

Further, 16,67,26,621 litres of beer and wine were also sold out during the period, with an average consumption of more than two lakh litres a day. The liquor sales data are sourced from an RTI reply sought by MK Haridas, president of Proper Channel, a social organisation. 

During May 2021 to May 2023, the state government earned Rs 31911.77 crore through liquor sales and another Rs 3050.44 crore through wine and beer sales. In addition, Bevco paid Rs 24,539.72 crore as tax to the government. 

Nevertheless, the RTI reply also stated that Bevco suffered loss during 2019-20 financial year, despite the whopping liquor sales. The reason for the loss has not been clarified in the reply. It is estimated that the loss could have been due to the pandemic.